Work on Midlands emergency accommodation centre to progress in coming months

Professionally supported accommodation for up to 17 homeless people from across the Midlands, including those in Westmeath, could become available before the end of 2021 as work continues on converting the former Clonamore House Hotel in Tullamore into an emergency accommodation centre.

The Housing Officer with Offaly County Council, Ms. Monica Cleary, confirmed to the January meeting of the local authority that work on converting Clonamore House is expected to progress “fairly quickly in the coming months.”

Ms Cleary added that the new facility will provide “professionally supported accommodation for 17 people” from across the Midlands region under a joint initiative with Midlands Simon once renovations are completed.

The meeting heard that five families and 18 single people were being supported in homeless services by Offaly County Council at the end of 2020, so there is a need for more homeless accommodation to be provided.

The purchase of Clonamore House was announced last October in a partnership between Midlands Simon, which operates in the four Midland counties of Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford, and leading national homeless charity, Sophia.

Chair of the Voluntary Board of Directors of Midlands Simon, and Athlone Solicitor, Mark Cooney, hailed the partnership between Midlands Simon and Sophia as “an important initiative” at the time of the purchase, and said “there is a major need for this type of service, based on our experience.”

“Midlands Simon Community has a track record of providing safe, well-managed services and Clonamore House Hotel will meet the high standards which we have always upheld” said Mr. Cooney.

The Chair of Sophia Housing Association, Denis Doherty, said the partnership between Sophia and Midlands Simon Community is built on “strong foundations, and a legacy of compassion and care” and added that Sophia’s ethos is “the provision of high-quality accommodation with appropriate supports.”