Cork senator concerned over lack of medium-term supported housing for women and children

A Cork senator has raised concerns about the phasing out of the supported housing service for women who are escaping domestic violence and addiction.

Nicole Ryan is calling on the Government to restore medium-term (12-18 months) supported housing for women and children fleeing domestic violence and addiction, backed by sustainable funding and wraparound supports such as addiction treatment, mental health care and childcare.

Ms Ryan's comments come as the housing units once dedicated to long-term supported housing have now been repurposed into Safe Home units, which only provide short-term accommodation for up to 12 weeks.

She added that pregnant survivors in particular must be prioritised in housing and health policy, and that housing provision must be more than a short term solution.

Devastating blow

“This is a devastating blow to women who are in the most vulnerable positions imaginable, those fleeing domestic violence while also trying to recover from addiction.

“Safe Home is a valuable emergency service, but what can a woman and her child truly rebuild in just 12 weeks?

“At the end of that time, they are pushed into homeless services, effectively making them and their children homeless all over again.”

Ms Ryan said the removal of long-term supported housing undermines recovery and safety, ultimately leaving women trapped in a cycle of trauma, addiction, and instability.

“We cannot keep papering over the cracks with short-term fixes. Women and children need stability, safety, and time to recover. This Government has a duty to provide it. Anything less is setting women up to fail and condemning children to instability from the very beginning of their lives.

“Supported housing gave women the breathing space of up to 18 months to stabilise their lives, access addiction treatment, counselling, education and plan for independent living.

“Taking that away means asking women to do the impossible in three months, under pressure, while still carrying the scars of abuse. It is short-sighted, dangerous and it will cost lives.”