Historic building in Waterford to be converted into accommodation for homeless women

St. John's Presbytery has been approved for major renovation under the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS). The large vacant property in Waterford city centre is to be converted into a centre for homeless women, the first of its kind in a new pilot project expanding the RLS model to provide such accommodation.

The building will include nine apartments, six emergency units and a meeting room to provide support services to residents. The Tinteán Housing Association will provide accommodation and services to up to fifteen women experiencing homelessness in the renovated building.

The Minister of State for Planning, John Cummins TD has welcomed the approval, in a statement, Mr Cummins said: "As a local TD, I am delighted to see this project which I have worked extensively on with all stakeholders move forward.

"When complete, it will provide supported accommodation for 15 women experiencing homelessness and enable Tinteán, an experienced homeless service provider, to work with these women towards their exit from homelessness."

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Work will commence shortly and the building is expected to be available for occupation by April 2026.

Minister of State Cummins TD emphasised need for the service in the area and said the development will give a new life to a historic building which had been vacant for many years.

He continued: “Indeed, the building will be ideal for the services to be provided. Within the setting of the Old Presbytery, Tinteán will be able to offer individual living quarters for the women who access their complex and medium support services, thus affording them the anonymity and personal space to focus on their individual and personalised programmes.

“Waterford has been to the fore in the delivery of homes under the Repair and Lease scheme with over 50% of the national total delivered in Waterford. This is a scheme which I have consistently championed and I want to see Local Authorities nationally do more in this space.”

Helena Dennehy, Director of Services, Waterford City and County Council welcomed the confirmed funding approval from the Department for this pilot project expanding the Repair and Leasing model and building on the success of the scheme across Waterford to date.

She said: “Waterford has a robust track record in delivering units under the Repair and Leasing scheme and we are looking forward to a continuing working relationship in the homeless areas with service providers Tinteán.”

This is a new departure for the Repair and Leasing Scheme which has previously been used to provide long term homes for households that qualify for social housing. 

Under the scheme, a property owner is provided with an interest free loan to renovate their property. The renovated home is leased to the local authority or an AHB with the loan being repaid as a discount on the lease payment.