Call our Helpline: 1800 203 136 - Mon-Fri 9am to 4.30pm

West Cork Beacon
‍
Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry Co. Cork
P75 TN96
‍
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
9.00AM - 4.30PM

Telephone:
027 53847

Support Line:
1800 203 136

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Housing Supports

We provide helpful advice in relation to housing options, from the initial crisis needs, through to long term solutions. Our support workers can also put you in touch with services that can offer more in depth housing advice and support based on specific needs.

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First Steps

Housing Supports

Women are sometimes afraid to leave the family home because they believe or have been told that they will lose their right to it. Laws about property can be complex, so it is crucial to talk to a solicitor or domestic abuse support service about this to get the best information.

Refuge and Safe House
Short & Long Term Housing
Rent Supplement
Housing Advice
Homelessness

Refuge and Safe House

If in a crisis situation, a women’s refuge or safe house may be your best option.

The nearest refuges to West Cork are Cuanlee Refuge in Cork City and Adapt Refuge in Tralee.

Refuges can have limited availability, but we can assist you in sourcing alternative accommodation in crisis situations. Contact our support workers who will help you find a suitable option and offer the supports to get you situated. Alternatively you can contact the refuges directly.

Cuanlee Cork City:

  • Phone: 021 427 7698
  • Website: www.cuanleerefuge.org

Adapt Tralee

  • Phone: 066 7129100
  • Website: www.kerryrefuge.com

West Cork Beacon operates a Safe house in West Cork.

It is not always available because it may be occupied. If you require this type of support the Domestic Violence Support Worker will help you, to assess if this is an appropriate support for you or offer alternative options if more suitable to your specific needs.

Short & Long Term Housing

If you are currently homeless the local authority can provide support in accessing emergency accommodation. To access this support, you would need to call your local authority to complete a homeless assessment.

If you are looking to rent a property longer term the social housing application form must be completed to access social housing and HAP (Housing Assistance Payment). This is completed with your local authority. A support worker can support you throughout the social housing application process.

The local authority office for West Cork is based in Clonakilty and contactable on 023 883 3328

For more information on HAP please visit: www.citizensinformation.ie

If you are an owner or joint owner of a house, common practice is that you cannot access the housing list. However, an exception may be made in relation to cases of Domestic Abuse. Advocacy will be needed, and the support workers can support you in both this and any aspect of the application process.

Rent Supplement

The Domestic Violence Rent Supplement is a system to help survivors of domestic abuse when leaving the family home. It is only allocated if the new home is a new tenancy. Women can only access the DV rent supplement scheme through West Cork Beacon.

If approved for the supplement, women can access the payment for 3 months with no means testing. It can be given for another three months but this is means tested. The aim is to have clients accepted onto HAP or social housing by the end of the program

Housing Advice

Threshold, Cork
‍Accommodation Housing advice service
Phone: 021 4278848 or 1800 454 454
Website: www.threshold.ie

Mercy Law Resource Centre
Provides free legal advice and representation to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the areas of social housing and related social welfare law.

25 Cork Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.
Phone: 01 4537459
Website: www.mercylaw.ie

Homelessness

Many women on leaving their family home due to abuse may end up temporarily staying at a refuge, a safe house or with family / friends. These situations mean you are classed as being currently homeless.

Your local County or City Council can undertake a homeless assessment to access emergency accommodation and other financial supports.

Our Supports