Homelessness charity the Depaul Trust is to expand into eastern Europe.

The charity, which currently works across England and Ireland, plans to start a subsidiary in Slovakia over the next 18 months.

Eventually, it may expand into other countries that have recently joined the European Union, such as Poland and Estonia, and may also do work in Ukraine.

The countries that joined the EU on 1 May are set to receive 陇30bn (拢20bn) to improve their economic infrastructure, but this money will not be used to address the major problems of poverty and social exclusion, according to Depaul Trust chief executive Mark McGreevy.

鈥淭here is a danger that disadvantaged people will not benefit from joining the European Union,鈥� he said.

鈥淭he economy will grow, but who is investing in the skills base of young and disadvantaged people?

鈥淯nless there is investment for poorer parts of the community, it will be a struggle for them.

There is a danger that disadvantaged people will not benefit from joining the European Union

Mark McGreevy, Depaul Trust

鈥淲e look at housing as a starting point but what interests us is giving people opportunities to take part fully in society, get jobs and move up the ladder.鈥�

The charity will start research in October into the needs of the community in Slovakia and the services that already exist. The research will also work out how much the project would cost.

McGreevy said: 鈥淭he average salary is 拢800-900 a year so you could create significant services for a relatively small investment.鈥�

The charity has some funders interested in the project but has no final costings for the scheme yet.

Depaul will take on a new group structure in October in the run-up to the launch of its Slovakian subsidiary. Depaul Foundation will become the parent body, with McGreevy becoming group chief executive. The national organisations will be subsidiaries.

Source

Housing Today