Housing activists have reclaimed a closed down hostel in order to provide shelter for Dublin’s homeless community, according to The Irish Times.
Closed in 2011, the hostel which was formerly known as Bolton House and now renamed the Bolt Hostel, already had a history of housing the homeless prior to its closure. The building at 38 Bolton Street is owned by Dublin City Council, and one council spokesperson stated the hostel closed because it was “not fit for purpose.”
However in recent weeks an activist group called the Irish Housing Network investigated the building as they knew it was owned by the council..
It was in very good condition, considering it’s been
empty for three years. We knew with a bit of work it could be really
nice.Séamus Farrell of the Irish Housing Network
Since then, the group have enlisted the help of plumbers and electricians working on a voluntary basis to ensure the building is in habitable condition. Boasting six bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen and a number of living areas, the building could make a substantial difference to some of Dublin’s homeless citizens.
The network’s reclamation has been
publicised on social media and has met with an outpouring of support from the local community.
“There are a lot of Nama buildings that need to be reclaimed for the
people, and there are a lot of people who support actions like this,” said Mr Farrell.
Dublin City Council is due to meet with the activists soon to discuss the hostel’s future, but we hope it can become a permanent fixture.
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