Student complex to open for at-risk young people

THE first residents of new Cork City Council-supported student accommodation for at-risk young people are to move in on Monday.

Bishopsgrove, a €2.1m development on the Curraheen Road, in Bishopstown, will house 39 young adults and will be managed by the same team that oversees the Foyer, in Blackpool.

The project is the first of its kind in the State and has been developed in an existing student accommodation complex bought with funding from the Department of Local Government and refurbished to the specifications of the council.

Bishopsgrove differs from similar projects in the city, including the Foyer. The Foyer develops independent living skills and encourages its clients to pursue training programmes.

Bishopsgrove will encourage its residents to pursue third-level education and that has been described as ‘innovative’ by city officials.

A report issued to elected members noted that “the Bishopsgrove project will provide supported student accommodation, and floating support, for young people aged 18- to 25-years-old.

“This intervention will build up the capacity of those eligible persons to participate in third-level education or equivalent, accredited training, as a vital pathway away from homelessness.”

The project will also reduce homelessness and housing instability among care-leavers, and young people at school who are at imminent risk of homelessness, the report added.

It is understood that the first of Bishopsgrove’s 39 residents will move into the complex on Monday, May 22.

Among those set to move in over the coming months are several clients of the Foyer, thereby freeing up beds in the Blackpool facility.

Tenants at Bishopsgrove will be subject to similar rules as those in the Foyer, including a strict tenancy agreement.

The facility will also be under 24-hour management, city officials have confirmed.