When Catherine Kenny died on the streets of Belfast in 2016, her family vowed that her legacy would live on - and today that legacy has been established in a way which has left the family speechless.
A new, bespoke, supported accommodation-based service for women experiencing homelessness in Belfast has been secured, and is named Catherine House, in memory of the Downpatrick woman.
Commissioned by the Housing Executive and funded through the Supporting People Programme, Catherine House, is based in South Belfast and will be operated by the Welcome Organisation.
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Up to ten women can be accommodated on-site and recruitment for new staff to provide in-house support is underway. The Welcome Organisation sought permission from Catherine's family to name the facility in her memory.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Catherine's sister Lee-Maria said: "This is absolutely huge. This is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and it is solely for women. It is not your normal hostel, it is going to be a full time accommodation for some of our women who have complex needs. When the women are there, they will be offered support to help with their past traumas and to help them transition into independent living.
"It is such a massive accolade to Catherine, and to us as a family. I just kept saying thank you to the Welcome Organisation, I couldn't say it enough. They said it was almost a thank you to us, for what we have done with the Welcome Centre.
"Every thought process we have, is always about them, and what we can do. If our Catherine had of been able to come back from that, she would be in the middle of this, helping and supporting others, who aren't able to help themselves out now.
"What else can I say? Catherine's wee legacy lives on. Her memory has stayed alive. My heart lies with the Welcome Centre, and they are always at the forefront of my mind, for the help they gave to Catherine when she was alive.
"For them to dedicate this service to Catherine, it doesn't get any bigger or better for us."
Chief Executive of The Welcome Organisation, Jo Daykin-Goodall said: “We are delighted to have been selected to deliver this vital homeless support service for women. The Welcome Organisation has been delivering potentially life-saving homelessness services for over 25 years, including the delivery of female-specific accommodation for homeless women in crisis.
"Our staff have a wealth of experience not only in relation to homelessness, but in addictions and mental health as well. This new women’s service will expand on those services and will provide 24 hour supported living for ten women experiencing homelessness who are ready to take the next steps to live independently.
"This will be more than just a roof over their heads – it will have a therapeutic ethos were trauma informed support will be interwoven into their daily lives. We will have support workers on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"We will also work with external organisations to provide skill-based training so that the women who use the service have the best possible opportunity to progress. This new service will help break the cycle of homelessness and provide the women with the skills and confidence to live independently."
Remembering her sister as "just so full of life", Lee-Maria said that Catherine was a massive character, who brought so much joy to those who loved her.
"The really sad part of that was that behind that act of bravery, she was so broken," she added.
"I still go back to the fact that had Catherine's mental health issues been identified, managed and dealt with at a very early age, I have no doubt in my mind that Catherine Kenny would still be alive today.
"Unfortunately, nobody identified that. Catherine was labelled the bad kid. The disruptive kid with no dreams or aspirations. The kid who came from the council estate. We talk about normalising, and removing stigmas, about not putting labels on people who have mental health issues.
"But had Catherine been given the right label, her future would have been very different. I feel very strongly about that, very strongly. She left a massive legacy behind her and there were a lot of people who loved her, and got a lot of joy out of knowing her - and that is what we take comfort in."
Housing Executive Chief Executive Grainia Long said Catherine House will allow women experiencing homelessness to receive a level of service that is appropriate to their needs, "working with them to resolve often deeply rooted challenges and always acting with empathy".
"Establishing this service, and others like it, is a strategic priority for the Housing Executive," Grainia added.
"Alongside Catherine House, we have been growing the number of services for women experiencing chronic homelessness. As well as safe and secure sanctuary accommodation, a number of new services are being supported and developed to provide bespoke interventions over the next year.
"Around £500,000 will be allocated from the Supporting People programme to support new schemes and initiatives for women over the next 12 months. This includes funding for an Emotional Health and Wellbeing Officer to assist the Welcome Organisation, while an Activity Recovery Coaching Help (ARCH) programme, designed to promote positive mental health in those living with addiction issues, is also planned."
A new community-based accommodation service in East Belfast is also being secured, enabling women to leave hostel accommodation and secure permanent tenancies.
Ms Long added: "Our homelessness strategy states that, wherever possible, homelessness should be prevented and if this is not possible, homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring.
"Our strategic approach has focused on supporting women in crisis in therapeutic, supported accommodation - and in the community - to help women break the cycle of poor mental health, addictions and homelessness."
A Department for Communities spokesperson said: “The Department is pleased that funding from the Supporting People Programme will support Catherine House, which is providing a vital facility for women. Those who use this service will do so for a myriad of, often complex, reasons. Offering accommodation and sanctuary is a key first step.
"All those involved in addressing the issue of homelessness acknowledge that solutions need to go wider. It is with this in mind that the Department continues to work with a range of government, statutory and community organisations to deliver help those experiencing homelessness."
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