“Housing Rights and Homelessness: lessons from a pro bono partnership” details the experiences of the Housing Law Clinic operated from the Focus Ireland ‘Coffee Shop’ service in Temple Bar. The Clinic is a partnership project between Focus Ireland, A&L Goodbody, and Mercy Law Resource Centre, supported and facilitated by PILA. It provides free legal advice to people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes, with follow up legal representation where appropriate. Thanks to the partnership approach, the service has been able to respond to the escalating homelessness crisis. 300 appointments were scheduled by the service in 2018, a 125% increase on the number of cases in 2017.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy Mike Allen said “Focus Ireland’s advice and information staff help dozens of families and individuals to resolve their housing issues every day. We also work to propose policy and legislative changes which will tackle these issues at their roots. However, not all cases can be resolved by information and advice and a significant number of individuals and families need professional legal advice and even representation to resolve their housing problems. The failure of the legal aid system to help people with housing problems has been a major gap for years and this partnership has allowed us to ensure our customers have access to all the supports they need to avoid homelessness or exit from it.”
A&L Goodbody Managing Partner Julian Yarr shared how: "Access to justice lies at the heart of our pro bono practice. All our lawyers are encouraged to use their legal skills to tackle the most complex and challenging social issues in our community. The work at the housing clinic is challenging but this collaboration has enabled us to apply our skills and knowledge to support individuals and families out of homelessness. The partnership we have with Focus Ireland and Mercy Law allows us to do just this and we're incredibly proud of the difference we can make together."
Mercy Law Resource Centre Managing Solicitor Rebecca Keatinge added “Mercy Law Resource Centre established the legal advice clinic at Focus Ireland in 2010, so as to ensure legal advice and representation on housing and homeless matters was easily accessible to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Since 2010, MLRC solicitors have advised 1,054 individuals and supported them in overcoming serious difficulties in relation to their housing. We are delighted to expand this model of legal advice and to enhance our reach through this pro bono partnership. We greatly value the partnership with A&L Goodbody, Focus Ireland and PILA and look forward to building on the positive impacts of this important project.”
PILA Legal Manager Deirdre Malone chaired the event and commented “PILA are proud to have facilitated this excellent pro bono model where a law firm, independent law centre and NGO work in partnership to deliver legal advice to those who need it most. However, long term it is incumbent on the State itself to honour its commitment to ensure that the statutory legal aid system delivers effective access to justice for the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups”
The Report is available online here