Focus Ireland
Focus Ireland is an Irish registered charity working with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It delivers housing, support, and advocacy services across six Irish cities, funded by individual and corporate donations, government grants, and EU research partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Focus Ireland does
Focus Ireland is a registered Irish charity (Company Limited by Guarantee, charity number CHY 7220) founded in 1985 by Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, headquartered at 9-12 High Street, Dublin 8, and operating across six Irish cities (Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Kilkenny, Cork, Sligo) with 251–500 employees. The organization works with people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes, delivering an integrated portfolio of services: Advice and Information, The Coffee Shop (open 365 days a year on Eustace Street), Residential Aftercare for 18–23-year-olds, Caretakers and Extension Service for tenancy sustainment, Mediation, and the Housing First Programme providing permanent affordable housing with wraparound case management for people with complex needs. Focus Housing Association, a sister Approved Housing Body, delivers permanent housing stock and has built 635 homes since 2021.
The business model is multi-stream and donation-led: individual one-time and monthly recurring donations (€15–€250+ per transaction), corporate partnerships (notably a 10-year Bord Gáis Energy partnership and a Technology for Transformation program with Microsoft, LinkedIn, PayPal, and Teamwork targeting 100 homes over five years), government funding (Section 10 Housing Act, Tusla, HSE), and EU research grants. Distribution is primarily through direct in-person service delivery, an iRaiser-powered online donation platform, and corporate partner channels. The technology stack is conventional and non-AI-enabled, comprising Kentico CMS for the website, Google Analytics, and an in-house 'Orion' customer/service-user database.
The organization combines service delivery, advocacy, and research as a single integrated proposition, with CII Triple Lock accreditation (ethical fundraising, SORP financial transparency, Charities Governance Code), GDPR compliance, and WCAG 2.1 AA web accessibility. Strategic positioning is reinforced by co-leadership of the European Homelessness Count with Trinity College Dublin and Dublin/Cork city councils, FEANTSA presidency at EU level, and named advocacy campaigns (No Child Without A Home, Best Interest of Child, Focus on Children). The founding leader, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, passed away in November 2025 at age 86, marking a generational leadership transition for the organization.
Focus Ireland firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Focus Ireland
- Legal name
- Focus Ireland CLG
- Website
- https://focusireland.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Focus Ireland is an Irish registered charity working with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It delivers housing, support, and advocacy services across six Irish cities, funded by individual and corporate donations, government grants, and EU research partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Focus Ireland industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homelessness and Housing Support Services
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)
Keywords
Where Focus Ireland is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
Focus Ireland business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, ranging from €15-€250 per transaction, with various giving tiers and options for regular monthly contributions.
- Corporate Fundraising: Corporate partnerships and company fundraising programs including technology sector partnerships, company giving programs, and employee giving schemes.
- Government/Funder Grants: Funding from government bodies including section 10 Housing Act funding, Tusla partnerships, HSE partnerships, and European Commission research funding.
- Charitable Donation Scheme: Tax relief scheme under Section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act allowing Focus Ireland to claim tax refunds on qualifying donations of €250 or more.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Single donation amounts |
| Subscription | Monthly | Regular monthly donation amounts |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Focus Ireland product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Focus Ireland is a registered Irish charity that challenges homelessness by providing direct housing, advice, and support services to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Core offerings include the Housing First Programme (permanent housing with wraparound case management), Residential Aftercare for young people aged 18-23, Caretakers tenancy support, Extension Service, Mediation, Advice and Information services, and The Coffee Shop in Dublin. Through its sister Approved Housing Body, Focus Housing Association, it builds and manages affordable homes, having delivered 635 homes since 2021.
Product overview
Focus Ireland is a registered charity that challenges homelessness in Ireland through a portfolio of support services. The organization operates as a single integrated service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core services include Advice and Information, The Coffee Shop (providing meals and support), Residential Aftercare for young people, Caretakers, Extension Service, and Mediation. The Housing First Programme provides permanent housing with wraparound support services for those with complex needs. Focus Housing Association, its sister Approved Housing Body, handles property acquisition and management. The organization also operates advocacy campaigns (No Child Without A Home, Focus on Children), educational programmes (Schools Talks Programme), and content offerings (The Focus Ireland Podcast). Services are delivered across multiple Irish cities including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, and Sligo.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Advice and Information Provides guidance and information to individuals and families seeking help with homelessness-related issues, including referrals to other services and useful organisations.
- The Coffee Shop Provides warm meals, support, and a welcoming space for people experiencing homelessness, open 365 days a year on Eustace Street, Dublin.
- Residential Aftercare Supports young people aged 18-23 as they transition from care to independent living, with residential and aftercare support.
- Caretakers Provides housing support services to help people maintain their tenancies and prevent a return to homelessness.
- Extension Service Provides housing support and extension services to prevent homelessness and sustain tenancies.
- Mediation Mediation services to resolve housing disputes and prevent eviction, supporting people to remain in their homes.
- Housing First Programme Provides permanent affordable housing with wraparound mobile case management and treatment services for people experiencing homelessness with mental health, health, substance misuse, or other challenges, grounded in client choice and recovery.
- Focus Housing Association Approved Housing Body (AHB) and sister organisation of Focus Ireland that acquires and manages affordable homes, works with tenants to provide secure accommodation, protects their rights, and supports their needs; has delivered 635 homes since 2021.
Quantifiable outcome
- Supported 8,500 families at risk of homelessness through Bord Gáis Energy partnership over 10 years
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Focus Ireland
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Focus Ireland technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Focus Ireland partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Bord Gáis Energycore10-year partnership milestone celebrating support for 8,500 families at risk of homelessness. Collaboration has included funding, volunteering, and innovative renewable energy projects. New initiative announced to provide free hot water in homes using surplus renewable energy.
- Trinity College DublincoreResearch partnership for European Homelessness Count, providing one of the clearest pictures of homelessness in Ireland's two largest cities. Study identified 8,510 adults homeless in Dublin and 692 in Cork in 2025.
- Cork City CouncilcorePartner in European Homelessness Count research collaboration for Cork city, contributing to understanding of homelessness levels in Ireland's second largest city.
- Dublin City CouncilcorePartner in European Homelessness Count research collaboration for Dublin city, contributing to understanding of homelessness levels in Ireland's largest city.
- MicrosoftcoreTechnology for Transformation project partner working with Focus Ireland to provide homes for those at risk of homelessness. Tech sector partnership aiming to deliver 100 homes nationwide over five years.
- LinkedIncoreTechnology for Transformation project partner supporting Focus Ireland's goal to deliver 100 homes nationwide through strategic giving program involving Ireland's technology industry.
- PayPalcoreTechnology for Transformation project partner contributing to Focus Ireland's housing delivery goals through technology sector strategic giving initiative.
- TeamworkcoreTechnology for Transformation project partner supporting Focus Ireland's mission to end homelessness through technology industry strategic giving program.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Focus Ireland competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Simon Communities of Ireland: Ireland's largest homelessness charity, providing emergency accommodation, housing support, and advocacy nationwide. Directly comparable to Focus Ireland in mission, service portfolio, funding model, and Irish geographic footprint.
- Peter McVerry Trust: Dublin-based homelessness and housing charity providing Housing First, supported housing, and drug treatment services. Directly comparable service model, target population, and reliance on government and donor funding.
- Threshold: National housing charity providing advice, advocacy, and tenant support across Ireland. Closely comparable in the advice-and-information, mediation, and policy advocacy functions Focus Ireland also operates.
- Depaul Ireland: Homelessness charity operating emergency accommodation and low-threshold services across Ireland. Comparable in providing shelter, outreach, and supported housing to single adults experiencing homelessness.
- Co-operative Housing Ireland: Approved Housing Body providing social and affordable housing across Ireland. Directly comparable to Focus Housing Association in AHB status, property development, and tenant management services.
- Clúid Housing: One of Ireland's largest Approved Housing Bodies, providing social housing and tenant support services. Comparable scale and operating model to Focus Housing Association's property and tenancy functions.
- Respond! Housing Association: Approved Housing Body providing family housing, homelessness services, and disability support housing. Comparable in combining housing development with direct support service delivery for vulnerable populations.
Broad incumbents
- The Salvation Army Ireland: International charity operating emergency accommodation, social services, and family support across Ireland. Overlaps with Focus Ireland on homelessness and family support but operates a much broader service portfolio.
- St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Ireland: Largest voluntary charity in Ireland providing direct material and financial assistance to households at risk of homelessness. Comparable in donor-funded, volunteer-driven service delivery for housing-insecure families.
Emerging players
- Barnardos Ireland: Children's charity providing early years, family support, and post-care services overlapping with Focus Ireland's youth aftercare and family appeal programs. Comparable in donor base and corporate fundraising infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Focus Ireland social profiles
Digital presenceFocus Ireland compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Focus Ireland financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Focus Ireland leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Focus Ireland funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Focus Ireland M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Focus Ireland
What does Focus Ireland do?
Focus Ireland is a registered Irish charity that challenges homelessness by providing direct housing, advice, and support services to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Core offerings include the Housing First Programme (permanent housing with wraparound case management), Residential Aftercare for young people aged 18-23, Caretakers tenancy support, Extension Service, Mediation, Advice and Information services, and The Coffee Shop in Dublin. Through its sister Approved Housing Body, Focus Housing Association, it builds and manages affordable homes, having delivered 635 homes since 2021.
Is Focus Ireland a public or private company?
Focus Ireland is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Focus Ireland founded?
Focus Ireland was founded in 1985. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Focus Ireland based?
Focus Ireland is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Focus Ireland make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Fundraising, government/Funder Grants and charitable Donation Scheme.
Who are Focus Ireland's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Simon Communities of Ireland, Peter McVerry Trust, Threshold, Depaul Ireland, Co-operative Housing Ireland, Clúid Housing and Respond! Housing Association. Broad incumbents are The Salvation Army Ireland and St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Ireland. Barnardos Ireland is listed as an emerging player.
Does Focus Ireland have an API?
No public API is recorded for Focus Ireland.
What industry is Focus Ireland in?
Focus Ireland's product category is Homelessness and Housing Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.