More than 30 new social housing units will be delivered by charities in Galway thanks to a €1.5 million anonymous donation.
Threshold and the Peter McVerry Trust have been the beneficiaries of anonymous legacy gift in a will left to The Community Foundation for Ireland.
The donation will support the delivery of 32 social housing units in Galway, with a further 14 in Limerick.
It will also support Threshold in a number of initiatives including steps to place the right to housing in the constitution.
Other campaigns by the housing charity include the introduction of a deposit protection scheme, as well as increased security of tenure for private tenants.
Threshold is receiving €1 million and Peter McVerry Trust is receiving €500,000 of the legacy gift.
Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said that they are extremely grateful for this “transformative” gift, that will help them combat homelessness in the west.
“The funding will enable us to help over 100 people move into a high-quality social housing unit with ongoing support from Peter McVerry Trust tenant support team.”
“Our goal now is to move as quickly as possible to use the funds donated to kit oout social housing and support our new tenants benefits arising from this donation to people impacted by homelessness across Galway and Limerick.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of The Community Foundation for Ireland said that this charitable donor is supporting works that could change the housing debate in Ireland forever.
“Philanthropic giving is different. It not only responds to immediate need it also has a longer-term view with a focus on solutions. We see that with this donation.”
“The partnership with Threshold will increase protection for tenants which for too long has been lacking, or in some cases does not exist at all.”
She highlighted the “scale and generosity” of this donation, saying that legacy gifts account for just 6% of charitable giving in Ireland.
