€1.2m in will donations keep charity afloat

Two anonymous donors who gifted the Dublin Simon Community (DSC) a combined €700,000 in their wills last year, saved the charity from going into the red in 2012.

A spokesperson for DSC said it was operating at maximum capacity, and that many people were just one pay cheque away from homelessness.

Yesterday, the agency confirmed that last year, it received one cash bequest totalling more than €550,000 and a second of €150,000.

The bequests formed a large part of €1.2m the DSC received in wills last year — an increase of €174,000 on the €1.05m received in wills in 2011.

Yesterday, CEO of DSC, Sam McGuinness said: “Bequests are essential in these very tough times and they are very gratefully received, appreciated, and acknowledged. Bequests are important because they are an opportunity to make a lasting, personal difference to people who are homeless.”

DSC said it is unable to provide details relating to the identity of the top donor. The bequests come against the background of increasing homelessness in the wider Dublin area and greater pressure on DSC’s services.

The most recent rough sleeper count carried out by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, which took place in April, found 94 people sleeping rough on the night of the count — an increase of nearly 30% up on 2012 (73) which in turn was up 25% on 2011 (59).

A spokeswoman for DSC said& it was seeing a worrying increase in its own weekly street counts.

“The average figure for June so far is 49 which is an increase of over 20% from May’s average which was 41. April to June is nearly double the same period for 2012. These increases are very troubling to everyone.”

She added that DSC services “are operating at maximum capacity and are stretched”.

Mr McGuinness said the organisation is concerned at these trends.

“In present uncertain times, with limited emergency accommodation, shortage of move-on options, rent increases, and rent allowance restrictions, availability of adequate move-on accommodation is very limited.

“People are now compelled to stay longer in poor and inadequate emergency facilities which add significantly to serious deterioration in their health, reducing their chances to rebuild their lives in the short term. Homelessness can now happen to anyone, after all we are only one pay cheque away.”