User:HughMLRC/sandbox

Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) is an independent law centre and registered non-profit organisation, based in Dublin, Ireland. The Centre provides free legal advice and representation to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

History
Mercy Law Resource Centre was established in 2009 during Ireland’s post-2008 economic downturn and ensuing housing crisis by Sister Michele O'Kelly. O'Kelly was supported by the Sisters of Mercy, with the stated aim of bringing together the spheres of law and mercy. The Centre’s main areas of practice are social housing law and related areas of social welfare law. In 2009 it assisted 270 people, and in 2018 it worked with 1,381 people.

MLRC is one of 7 not-for-profit organisations in Ireland which provide free legal advice, alongside Free Legal Advice Centres, Ballymun Community Law Centre, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the Irish Refugee Council, the Irish Traveller Movement, and Northside Community Law Centre.

Core activities
MLRC’s stated ethos is to recognise each person's dignity and ensure all people are treated with respect and compassion. Its work is focused on creating a society in which individuals live with dignity and enjoy equal rights, in particular the right to a home, as well as equal access to legal recourse to vindicate those rights.

Whilst Dublin-based, MLRC provides legal services across Ireland. In 2019, it offered free legal advice and representation to 1,611 individuals and families. According to its 2019 Annual Report, 88% of its new clients presented with issues related to homelessness and approximately three-quarters of its client base are of ethnic minority background, including migrants, members of the Irish Traveller community, and people of Roma ethnicity. The Centre has a stated commitment to eliminate the specific barriers faced by minorities as they access essential housing supports and services.

In 2019, the MLRC published a report on the impact of homelessness on families entitled The Report on Lived Experiences of Homeless Families. The Centre has taken, and lost, 3 High Court cases on behalf of families who were refused emergency accommodation by 3 local county councils.

MLRC has additionally provided legal support and training to over 100 organisations working in the fields of housing and homelessness, including Dublin Simon Community, Focus Ireland, Crosscare and Merchant's Quay, Ireland.

MLRC advocates for change in laws, policies, as well as in societal attitudes, which unduly and adversely impact its client group. It has actively campaigned for a referendum to amend the Irish Constitution so as to enshrine a positive right to housing. MLRC has joined Home for Good a coalition of organisations and activists seeking a referendum commitment from the Irish Government. Public figures involved in the campaign include Dr Rory Hearne, Fergus Finlay, and Colette Kelleher.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre highlighted the need for greater access to legal advice and provided training to staff and volunteers of aligned organisations.