Focus Ireland’s New Dublin based Youth Hub On Track to Provide Lifeline Support to Young People Facing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Focus Ireland is thrilled to announce, next year will see the opening of its new Youth Hub on Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1.
Designed as a one-stop shop for young people at risk of and experiencing homelessness, this facility will offer a range of comprehensive services to build stability, help secure housing, and achieve independent living. The supports offered through the Hub will directly tackle the issue of youth homelessness, which deeply affects our capital city and communities across Ireland.
The project is on track and expected to open by the end of 2027, with the former 5292 Sq. Ft. community hall being transformed by BLDG Chartered Surveyors and design-led by Ceardean Architects. The purpose-designed hub will operate over two floors, and provide a modern, accessible space to support services for young people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their home. Through a range of specialised programmes, Focus Ireland will provide practical support, life skills, housing assistance, social connection, inclusion, education, health literacy, and employment pathways, as well as family mediation services that help young people build brighter and more stable futures.
Focus Ireland CEO, Pat Dennigan said, “Early adulthood should be a time of opportunity, growth and independence. However, at Focus Ireland we know for many young people today, homelessness, family breakdown, housing instability and social exclusion present significant barriers to achieving these goals. That’s why this Youth Hub will bring together a range of specialised, person-cantered services, underpinned by trauma informed practice, designed to meet young people where they are, and to support them at every stage of their journey towards independence and to live a quality life.”
He added that, “the Youth Hub will incorporate a number of important services and opportunities that would simply not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of ‘a private donor’. We are incredibly grateful for this gift and for the vision and commitment behind it. We know this generous donation will enhance the services and support we can provide to vulnerable young people, enabling us to reach and help even more of those who need it most. Its impact will be felt not only today, but for generations to come. This is a legacy that will live on through the lives transformed, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.”
The new Youth Hub will build on our organisations existing services, alongside opportunities to further develop and expand our support such as:
The Extension Project offers young people aged 18 to 26 a safe, non-judgemental environment to access practical and emotional support and build the skills and confidence to live independently.
Youth Case Management Service supports young people aged 18 to 26 who are homeless or sleeping rough, helping them meet immediate needs and progress towards education, employment and long-term housing.
Advice and Information service to offer dedicated one-to-one support, from our highly skilled case managers.
Youth Mediation Service, the organisation provides intensive mediation and support to young people and their families when relationship difficulties or conflict place a young person at risk of homelessness.
The Preparation for Education, Training and Employment (PETE) Programme supports young people at risk of homelessness to access education, training and employment through tailored learning and career development supports.
Additionally, our evidence-based research and frontline work have helped us better understand the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by young people leaving state care. In partnership with Tusla, local authorities and other agencies, we provide tailored support to help care leavers secure sustainable housing and develop the skills and connections needed for independent living.
A key innovation within Focus Ireland’s youth services is the Supported Housing for Youth (SHY) Project, a pilot initiative we deliver with our partners Cluid and the DRHE and established under the National Youth Homelessness Strategy. The project supports young people aged 18 to 24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through a housing-led model that prioritises access to secure accommodation.
Speaking about the importance of the Youth Hub services, Acting Director of Services Prevention, Youth & Aftercare, Lisa O’Brien said: “Every young person deserves the opportunity to build a secure, fulfilling future. Through our Youth services, we support young people facing some of the most difficult circumstances in their lives, providing not only practical housing assistance but also the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to thrive. Our aim is to ensure that no young person is left behind because of homelessness or housing insecurity.”
The integrated nature of Focus Ireland’s Youth Hub ensures that young people can access a continuum of support, whether they are experiencing homelessness, at risk of losing their home, transitioning from state care, seeking education and employment opportunities, or experiencing family difficulties that place their housing at risk in a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment. By combining prevention, intervention and long-term support services, Focus Ireland continues to work towards ending youth homelessness while empowering young people to build sustainable futures within their communities.