Documentary film reveals new nature of homelessness in Ireland.

The Peter McVerry Trust today premiered a documentary entitled ‘Moving on’ which tells the story behind the new nature of Irish homelessness.

The film tells the stories of Emma (19) and Patrick (22) and charts their individual moves from a Peter McVerry Trust hostel to a redeveloped apartment building in Dublin 8.

The film tackles the traditional stereotypes of homelessness in Ireland and examines the power and security of having a place to call home.

The building featured in the documentary was an empty Dublin City Council housing complex. During the film it is transformed from a derelict building into six modern apartments. The documentary tells the story of how the power and promise of its new homes, transforms the lives of six Peter McVerry Trust service users.

The project cost over €100,000 and was funded by Saint Gobain – the global construction materials manufacturer.

Speaking today Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said: “This documentary shows the strong and determined young people that lay behind the stark homeless statistics we are often presented with. The stories of Emma and Patrick clearly illustrate the life chaning impact a key to their own home will have on people in homelessness.”

Brian Dolan, Managing Director of Saint-Gobain said: “This project shows the true power of a home to change people’s lives. This investment of €100,000 will provide six apartments for a generation and touch the lives of hundreds of people.

The film was made by Tim Gannon and Graham Seely of Gannsee Films, a Dublin-based production company.