Peter McVerry Trust Secures 18 Apartments in Dublin For Homeless

The Peter McVerry Trust - Ireland's national housing and homeless charity - do some fantastic and hard work all year around and they have some unreal news to shout about at the start of this week.

They have secured planning permission for 18 apartments in Dublin City Centre and the project will be the first in a "pipeline of housing projects" for the homeless.

Refurbishment of an almost 100-year-old flat complex at 181-187 Townsend Street, near College Green, will provide homes for 18 single homeless adults.

Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said on their website that it was a “real good news story” at a time of record homeless figures.

“We’ve received formal notification that Peter McVerry Trust has secured planning approval for 18 units at Townsend Street, Dublin 2. It’s a real good news story for us. At the end of this project, there will be 18 new keys to a home and 18 people leaving homelessness behind. This is the type of project that we want to do much more of because more social housing is the only way we can sustainably reduce the number of people in homeless services.”

“The existing building, owned by Dublin City Council, has been derelict for a long number of years and is need of major upgrade and renovation works.”

“Our plan for the building is to modernise it, increase the size of the apartments within it and carry out substantial works around stairwell arrangements and lift access. Ultimately, what we will create are high-quality homes for single people. Each new resident will receive dedicated supports from Peter McVerry Trust housing staff to help transition from street or hostel living to their new homes and to re-engage with education, training and employment.”

Soon, there will be 18 new keys issued to people who will finally be leaving homelessness behind for good.