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Opening doors for people impacted by homelessness across Ireland

As the national housing crisis shows no sign of ending, the work of Peter McVerry Trust has never been so vital. In 2021 the housing and homeless charity, founded by Fr Peter McVerry, supported over 10,000 people in 28 local authorities across Ireland.

Pat Doyle, CEO, explains how they are working hard to give the most vulnerable in our society a place to call home.

“Our primary aim is to support individuals and families who are homeless into homes of their own, and last year we gave 1,200 people the key to their own door. That key unlocks a new beginning for them; it allows them to rebuild their life.”

Since the charity was founded in 1983, their vision has remained resolute – an Ireland that supports all those on the margins and upholds their rights to full inclusion in society. The past two years have been particularly challenging. Pat explains, “Since the onset of the pandemic we have worked with more people than ever before, ensuring we protect and support those in our care to the best of our ability.

“Unfortunately, the fundraising environment has been incredibly challenging. Last year, legacy gifts – generously left to our charity by supporters – provided a much-needed lifeline to enable us to continue vital work across our services.” The charity is best known for their shortterm homeless services and operate over 40 services across Ireland for men, women, couples and families. Their purpose-built family hubs offer families a private and supportive environment – enabling them to move on from homelessness.

Over the past 38 years the charity has expanded their services to include addiction and recovery services, housing services and education.

They provide addiction support through residential and community detox services and currently run two Learning Centres, which provide a safe learning space for students who were excluded from or didn't fit into mainstream education. Pat adds, “We’ve invested extensively into prevention services – catching someone before they fall into homelessness. And for those who are already homeless, we have a number of housing services that provide pathways out of homelessness.”

Peter McVerry Trust is Ireland’s largest provider of Housing First services. Originating in America, the programme provides rough sleepers with their own accommodation as well as specialised support services. The results speak for themselves, Pat says, “Housing First has been incredibly successful in helping people who are particularly vulnerable to not only secure but retain housing. In Ireland, we’ve seen an 86.8% tenancy sustainment rate – it’s making a fantastic impact in the communities we work in across Ireland.” Historically, Peter McVerry Trust was concentrated in Dublin but the charity now operates in 28 local authorities across Ireland.

The charity’s national headquarters are located in Dublin and they have regional offices in Cork, Limerick, Louth, Kildare and soon to establish an office in Galway in 2022. Pat says, “Fr Peter McVerry was living in Ballymun when he set up the charity and he wanted to address the needs of vulnerable children living in the inner city. As the organisation has grown, the need for our services has expanded far beyond Dublin and we now work in communities across the country.

“Homelessness is often hidden – it’s not just the person sleeping rough on the streets. It’s the families living in a bedroom of a relative’s house. It’s the young woman who cannot leave an overcrowded family home. Or an older man sleeping on a friend’s couch after a separation. We see it all and, thanks to our kind donors, we’re working tirelessly to reduce homelessness and protect the most vulnerable in our communities.”