High Support Housing

Cork Simon has five high-support houses providing high levels of round-the-clock care every night for 52 men and women whose health and other needs are such that they are not able to live independently.  All five houses are staffed on a 24 hour basis by experienced care workers and trained volunteers.
 
 
Cork Simon’s five high-support houses are:
 
  • Clanmornin House, Boreenmanna Road
  • Gateway, Leitrim Street
  • Mill House, Anderson’s Quay
  • Tír na nÓg, Blackrock
  • 6 Parkview, Victoria Road.
 
People staying at Cork Simon’s high-support houses have very high care and support needs.  The focus is on enabling people to manage those needs and build quality of life.  In many cases people move-on to more independent living in an apartment or social housing with medium levels of support for as long as people need it.
 
Throughout 2011 a total of 70 people stayed at Cork Simon’s high-support houses.  14% were female.  93% required regular health care with 59% of people requiring care for their mental health whilst 91% required care for their physical health.  40% were admitted to A&E whilst 63% attended hospital out-patient appointments.  The scale of health appointments indicates the very high support needs of this group of people.
 
In 2010 Cork Simon Community conducted a health study among all people using Cork Simon projects and services during the last week of July.  Homelessness Makes You Sick found that among high-support housing residents:
 
  • 81% had a diagnosed physical health condition.
  • The most common conditions were Wounds & Injuries (32%), Heart related conditions (27%), digestive disorders (24%) and muscle and bone disorders (22%).
  • 56% had two or more diagnosed physical health conditions.
  • 59% had a diagnosed mental health condition.
  • The most common mental health conditions were Depression (41%), Schizophrenia (17%), and Bipolar Disorder (7%).
  • 24% had at least two diagnosed mental health conditions.
  • 49% had both a diagnosed physical and mental health condition.
  • 15% attempted suicide in the previous six months.
  • 15% self-harmed.