Edel House project officially opened
A shelter for homeless women and children has undergone an extensive refurbishment and expansion project which was opened recently by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The new facility by Edel House, Good Shepherd Cork’s emergency shelter, provides residents with a bespoke environment, including en-suite single rooms and 1 and 2 bedroom family units.
The new facility also provides for therapeutic, educational and other appropriate spaces.
Funding of €7.5 million was provided for the project by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, through Cork City Council.
The first phase of the redevelopment project involved the construction of the new adjoining building, which was completed in April 2021.
Phase 2 of the project included the refurbishment of the existing building which was completed in May of this year.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “I am delighted to officially open the redeveloped Edel House today. It represents a €7m investment by the Government in modern facilities for a vital service.
“Good Shepherd Cork has been providing services over the past 50 years to vulnerable women, children and families in Cork. Edel House, along with Good Shepherd Cork’s other services, play an important role in Cork city,” he said.
“I want to applaud the collaboration over the past few years between Good Shepherd and the statutory agencies, the City Council, and other bodies in the sector to seek to broaden and deepen the services that are provided to the most vulnerable in the city.
“ I am delighted to be here today at this significant milestone for the service, to recognise the important and difficult work that is done by everyone in this building, including the staff and those in emergency accommodation here,” he added.
Edel House opened its doors in 1972 and currently provides emergency accommodation for up to 13 families and 20 single women who are homeless. The team at Edel House offers a range of practical, emotional and therapeutic supports for women as they regain independence.
The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Deirdre Forde said: “The organisation addresses the root causes of homelessness and exclusion and has provided an essential service to some of the most vulnerable citizens of our city for over 50 years.
“I wish the management and staff of Good Shepherd Cork the very best as they embark on the next chapter of their dedicated service to the people of Cork.”
Allison Aldred, CEO, Good Shepherd Cork, said: “This year we are marking the 50th anniversary of the opening of Edel House. In the current homelessness crisis, there can be no more fitting way to mark our 50th year than by opening this considerably expanded and re-developed emergency shelter where we are delighted to be able to provide modern, dignified accommodation and a wide range of supports to women and children who are homeless.
“We are extremely grateful to our funders for the resources to expand the scale and scope of our services and to our dedicated staff for their commitment to our work.
“We are also hugely respectful of the courage and determination of the many women and children who have stayed in Edel House over the past 50 years, and those living with us today, as they move on from the traumas of homelessness,” the CEO added.