The new housing development - called "Cluain Ghlas" and based at Hennessey's Road in Waterford City - has been built on land previously known as "Powersfield" which was a derelict site in the city for many years.

The housing and homeless charity Focus Ireland said that the new development shows the power of successful partnership to help deliver homes to people in need of housing.  The development of one, two and three bed roomed homes for families and single adults from the local area has been delivered through the effective partnership of Focus Ireland with the Department of Environment and Waterford City Council.

The innovative housing project provides high quality, low-cost, supported accommodation and directly addresses specific housing needs identified in the Waterford area by Focus Ireland in collaboration with the local councils.

Speaking at the event Minister Michael Finneran T.D. said: "This development shows how we are working in partnership with Focus Ireland and other organisations to provide permanent homes for families and single people in need of housing."

He said: "Together we have shown the positive results of state and voluntary sector partnership, while bringing to life the performance of key actions set out in Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities."

Meanwhile, David Niblock, Manager of Focus Ireland in Waterford said: "This project provides a great template for future housing developments as is it specifically designed to meet the different needs of local people. Focus Ireland will provide support as required to ensure people settle in to the community and also sustain their home in the long-term.

Focus Ireland said the development is a really innovative design on a local authority site where the 16 homes are accompanied by St Brigid's Children Centre which will provide affordable childcare to the local community.  The local council is also developing a sports area on site.  This work is currently in progress and will feature a children's play area along with a sports pitch to provide good recreation facilities for residents and the local community.

Mr. Niblock added: "It is particularly poignant these families and single people will be home in time for Christmas this year as many would not have had a permanent family home last year.  It's great to see people move in to their homes as we all think of celebrating Christmas at home at this time of year and we'll continue our on-going work with the Minister's department to make home a reality for more people in to the future."

Focus Ireland CEO Joyce Loughnan announced at the event that the charity has now supported over 220 households to secure a home so far in 2008 in what has been a very challenging year.

She said: "There is a growing demand for our services to date this year as we are already seeing first hand the impact of the recession on some of the most vulnerable people in society. The support provided by organisations like Focus Ireland is even more important in times of recession as resources will be tighter and we must all ensure we work together to protect families and single people in need."

She added: "Much of our work is geared to directly prevent families from becoming homeless in the first place so continued funding of these services linked with better access to housing is the key to supporting the most vulnerable people through hard times."

Ms. Loughnan said investment in housing and support services makes financial and moral sense as it not only provides homes for people in need but the support ensures people sustain their home in the long-term thus avoiding repeat homelessness and the need for them to re-enter the emergency accommodation system.

She commended Minister Finneran and his department for their work in bringing forward the new Homeless Strategy while adding that it is vital that the soon to be published implementation plan for this strategy contains the necessary actions and resources essential to achieve the agreed Government objective of ending long-term homelessness by 2010.

Focus Ireland also called on the public to support their work this Christmas as the charity relies heavily on generous public and corporate supporters to raise at least one third of its annual running costs to support over 6,000 people each year and also provide a permanent place to call home for 670 households nationwide in Waterford, Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny and Sligo.  Donations can be made on-line at www.focusireland.ie or by calling 1850 204 205.