The Staff, Board and Council of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), the national approved housing body (AHB) federation, are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, a champion for social justice, a powerful advocate for the dignity of people experiencing homelessness in Ireland and a former board member of ICSH.
CEO of the Irish Council for Social Housing, Donal McManus says Sister Stan has been a guiding light for the housing and homelessness sector:
.
“With her insights into the needs of homeless households, Sister Stan made a huge contribution as a member of the ICSH Board during the 1980s and 1990s, helping to expand the capacity and expertise of the approved housing body sector.
“Speaking at one of our earliest conferences in 1987 – which was designated the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless – she said that society’s perception of homeless people has determined the responses to their situation, with separate hostels and shelters being built, keeping homeless households on the periphery of society. Pointing to the need for a change of attitude, Sr Stan called for comprehensive research into the nature and the extent of homelessness in Ireland and a White Paper on housing policy to ensure equity in the provision of housing.
“Sister Stan established Focus Point in 1985 as an information and support centre for homeless households. The organisation subsequently evolved into two separate entities: Focus Ireland and Focus Housing Association. Focus Housing Association is one of our largest approved housing body members, supporting individuals and families in more than 1,700 homes across Ireland. In line with Sister Stan’s vision, it also promotes the Meascán housing model, an ‘intentional social mix of tenants’ that includes general needs tenants and those with lived experience of homelessness who require additional support.
“This is only a small part of Sister Stan’s legacy. On behalf of our AHB members, we salute her.”
