Peter McVerry Trust Statement on September Homeless Figures

Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity has said that the rise in the number of people in homelessness in September is disappointing and can be linked to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on housing projects.

The charity, which currently has a planned construction programme of 30 social housing developments worth in excess of €80 million funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and supported by a number of local authorities, has said some of its own projects have been delayed due to Covid-19.

Pat Doyle, the CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said “The rise in the number of people in homelessness last month is disappointing but not unexpected, particularly given the impact Covid-19 has had, and continues to have, on housing output. Social housing projects that would normally have been completed and tenanted by now have been slowed down because of Covid-19, with some projects experiencing delays of between 5-6 months.”

“This has a direct impact on homelessness as the number of housing pathways for people are reduced, leading to a rise in the overall homeless figures.”

“However, we remain hopeful that by year end the homeless figures will begin to trend downwards again as social housing output increases. Approved Housing Bodies and local authorities will be delivering additional housing across the country in the coming weeks and we hope that people in homelessness will benefit from these new schemes and developments.”

“We are just about to complete our latest social housing scheme in Dublin 4. This has seen the acquisition and refurbishment of two properties, to deliver 18 high-quality social housing units at a cost of €4.2 million, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and with the support of Dublin City Council.

“This project was originally planned to be delivered in early June this year but due to lockdowns and delays arising from Covid-19 measures, we are only now, 5 months later, completing the project. However, the good news is that we are moving 18 single people out of homelessness in November and they will be settled into their new apartments in time for Christmas.”

“We are replicating the creation of these housing pathways right across the country from Galway to Cork, Limerick to Louth, in the next 8 weeks and we will see over 100 people with a key to the door from Peter McVerry Trust and exiting homelessness in time for Christmas.”

Further Information:

Francis Doherty – Director of Housing Development & Communications – 087 942 1051