Building supplies firm to fund apartments for homeless

A building supplies company has donated €100,000 to the Peter McVerry Trust to refurbish six apartments for the homeless.

Saint-Gobain, the global building materials supplier, said on Tuesday the money would be used to renovate homes in a disused building on Pim Street, Dublin 8.

The project is scheduled to be finished by February 2015.

Brian Dolan, managing director for Saint-Gobain in Ireland, said there was a deepening crisis for social housing in the country.

“We believe leading companies should put their shoulder to the wheel and return a social dividend from their success,” he said.

“A secure home is a human right that provides shelter, security and dignity. It allows an individual to lead a rewarding and meaningful life.”

Pat Doyle, chief executive of Peter McVerry Trust, said it was a relief to see the company stepping forward to help with the crisis.

“We have, at present, 90,000 households on a social housing waiting list. We also see rising rents, rising property costs and rising homelessness in urban areas.,” he said.

The building has been handed over by Dublin City Council to the trust on a long-term lease and work has started on the refurbishment.

“What this means in reality is that six households will get their second chance, their own apartment, and a chance to stand on their own two feet. What it means is that the people who are lucky enough to get a place in the new apartment block will get their own home and their independence back, and that is a huge thing,” Mr Doyle said.