Temporary Cold Weather Shelter Initiative at vacant building on Thomas Street. The Digital Hub.

It is estimated that a minimum of 130-150 people are sleeping rough in the Dublin region each night, and as we move into the winter months, nights are getting colder. There is a need to provide care, and a place to stay safely for the people sleeping on the streets.

Dublin City Council in partnership with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, has requested the use of one of The Digital Hub’s vacant buildings, to be used as a temporary cold weather emergency shelter. The Digital Hub Development Agency has supported this proposal by giving access to the facility .

Dublin City Council’s “cold weather initiative” will provide in The Digital Hub approximately 100 emergency beds from November 2015 until April 2016.
The facility is going to be managed by a team of professionals of CrossCare who are extremely experienced in these initiatives.

Digital Hub businesses welcome the plan to support the homeless. Source Irish Times:

Ciarán Doyle, Director of Soft Potential, says there has been “pretty good” communication from the Digital Hub in relation to the initiative.

“The chief executive sent out a notification,” he says. “There was also a briefing. I don’t have any issues with it. The sense around is very positive. People want to volunteer and there hasn’t been any negativity so far from businesses.”

He says “other supports” are also being provided for those who will be housed on the campus. “It’s not just a case of ‘there’s a bed’,” he says. “There are rooms, showers, education initiatives.”

“My understanding is they have a meeting area and an eating area. There are showers and they all have their own lockers. I haven’t seen it yet, but it sounds like they know what they’re doing.”