MLRC Secures Social Housing for Homeless Mother and Child
Mercy Law were contacted by a mother with an infant child who was experiencing homelessness but had been refused emergency accommodation by her local authority. The Client had become homeless over a weekend due to a serious relationship breakdown and had nowhere she could reside with her infant child. Domestic violence orders prevented her from […]
What is “normal residence” and “local connection” in Social Housing Law?
When a household applies for social housing supports, they may have options on which local authority (the “Council”) they choose to apply to. Regulation 5 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 (the “2011 Regulations”) provide that the relevant local authority to apply to should be: “the housing authority for the functional area in which […]
Law Reform: Proposed Amendments to the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Housing Act 1988
Any revisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the Housing Act 1988 must be lawful and proportionate. MLRC is currently chairing a subgroup of the Irish Homelessness Policy Group (IHPG), which is a coalition of organisations working at the frontline of the housing and homelessness crisis. The group works on various policy issues relating to […]
The need for a Robust Independent Appeals Mechanism for Decisions related to Social Housing and Homelessness
Mercy Law Resource Centre’s Solicitor, Kate Heffernan, speaks about the significant barriers victim-survivors of domestic violence continue to face in accessing safe accommodation
At a recent event, At The Margins, Three Priority Areas Through a Human Rights Lens hosted by the Bar of Ireland, Mercy Law Resource Centre‘s Solicitor, Kate Heffernan, spoke about the significant barriers victim-survivors of domestic violence continue to face in accessing safe accommodation. Chaired by Hon. Ms. Justice Sara Phelan, Kate Heffernan, Tara O’Leary and […]
Recent Trends in MLRC Casework by Adam Boyle
Recent Trends in Casework It is disappointing to note a continuing trend in our casework, where much of the work of the solicitors is focused on trying to ensure access to basic, emergency homeless supports for our clients. We are consistently referred cases from advocates, social workers, and frontline homeless services to assist households who […]
MLRC Client Journey Profile, Finding emergency accommodation for a young mother
Edited by Kate Heffernan The client WM has one young daughter, age 3. After losing her job in December 2024, WM became unable to pay her landlord the following months’ rent. WM informed her landlord and the Council, which was in a rural region, of this; and a member of the Council staff told WM […]
MLCR’s Final Hour Campaign 2023
Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) will launch its second Final Hour Campaign on 24 October 2023…
Pro Bono Week Ireland -20-25 November 2023
As an organisation that hugely values the strong pro bono partnerships we have, MLRC is delighted to support