Focus Ireland Marks One Year of Supported Housing for Youth Programme Tackling Youth Homelessness
Focus Ireland today celebrated the first anniversary of the Supported Housing for Youth (SHY) pilot programme, a pioneering initiative aimed at tackling youth homelessness in Dublin. The event took place at the Richmond Centre in Smithfield and brought together key stakeholders including Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, alongside partners from Clúid Housing and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE).
Launched in 2024, SHY is based on the principles of Housing First for Youth—providing immediate access to secure housing alongside tailored, flexible support. The programme has already made a significant impact, with 15 young people aged 18 to 24 moving into safe, stable homes after experiencing homelessness, including emergency accommodation. Many participants are care leavers, young parents, or individuals who have faced other serious challenges such as time in prison.
Speaking at the event, Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said:
“SHY is a powerful example of what can be achieved when policy, partnership, and purpose come together. This pilot has shown that when young people are given not just a roof over their heads, but the right support and the dignity of a home, they can begin to rebuild their lives.
We’ve seen young people move from crisis into stability, from isolation into community, and from uncertainty into hope. That transformation is only possible through the dedication of our frontline teams, the collaboration with Clúid Housing and the DRHE, and the leadership shown by the Department of Housing.
As we mark one year of SHY, we are not just celebrating a milestone—we are making the case for a future where youth homelessness is addressed with compassion, evidence, and urgency.”
Minister James Browne praised the initiative and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to addressing youth homelessness:
Speaking at the event in Dublin, Minister Brown said:
“I was deeply taken by the testimony of a young person currently supported through the SHY initiative, and the profound impact it has had on their life. Their experience underscores the importance of targeted, person-centred housing supports.
“Addressing homelessness remains a major priority for me and Government, and the Youth Homelessness Strategy is one part of our wider response. We recognise that young adults are a distinct cohort of individuals who require their own distinct housing solutions.
“This is why, my Department has recently approved further capital funding for the roll-out of the next phase of the programme to support more young people like the individual we heard from today.”
The SHY programme is part of Focus Ireland’s broader youth services, which supported 474 young people in 2024 through Youth Housing and Aftercare Services. These include Crisis Intervention, Aftercare, and Housing First for Youth programmes. Support teams work closely with residents through weekly keyworking, life skills programmes, and referrals to services such as PETE, Crosscare, and Social Inclusion.
Looking ahead, Focus Ireland aims to bring SHY to full capacity, evaluate its impact, and support young people to move on when ready. The organisation hopes the pilot will be mainstreamed as a national model for youth-specific housing supports.