'Many risk homelessness': Housing crisis piles pressure on addiction centres in Cork

The housing crisis is causing problems for Cork addiction treatment centres which are trying to find accommodation for recovering patients.

As a result, beds in the centres and step-down housing are both being “blocked” as staff clamour to prevent service users going into homelessness after leaving treatment.

Mick Devine, clinical director of Tabor Group addiction treatment service, told The Echo that going into unsafe or unstable accommodation after residential treatment can make it harder for people to stay clean and sober.

As part of the assessment process, Tabor identifies if people have complex needs around accommodation, location, or family that are not conducive to getting a good recovery, and these people are recommended for a longer treatment programme.

Tabor residents follow a 12-week residential programme, followed by the option of another 12 weeks in a supported living house.

Mr Devine said: “We have three houses in Cork city, two owned by Tabor Group and one leased by Cork City Council. There are 17 beds, and most graduates of that integrated programme choose to progress to recovery living.”

When the 12 weeks is up, residents often look for accommodation together, rather than moving somewhere they could be exposed to substances, but staff say the residents are increasingly being challenged to find suitable housing.

“It’s an area of treatment delivery that needs to be focused on, especially for young people who find their prospects for accommodation are very precarious, which can threaten to jeopardise all the good work they’ve done in treatment,” said Mr Devine.

“If their bed is not needed at the end of that three months, they are welcome to stay until they do secure accommodation, but some might need to access emergency accommodation, which is really not ideal,” he added.

Gerry McElroy, chief executive of Cuan Mhuire, another provider of addiction treatment, raised the topic before the Oireachtas joint committee on drug use recently.

Cuan Mhuire has four treatment centres with nearly 450 beds, including one in Farnanes, Cork, and post treatment provides 102 supported housing beds in seven transition houses, including one in Cork, for homeless persons in early recovery. Mr McElroy said that, like all other organisations, Cuan Mhuire has its challenges, such as financing and long waiting lists, as demand for services increases.

“Due to the current housing crisis, we are finding it extremely difficult in supporting our residents to find accommodation. Many risk homelessness after completion of their programme, due to the lack of availability of social housing and rental accommodation,” he said.

“This results in treatment beds, as well as step-down/transition places, being blocked for lengthy periods of time, as we continue in our attempts to help the person find suitable accommodation.

He said there was no benefit to be gained for any individual going through a residential programme only to find themselves in temporary accommodation or on the streets, where they are surrounded by substance misuse.