A homelessness charity is asking law firms to donate the last hour of the working year to help fund its work.

Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) provides free legal advice and representation to those at risk of homelessness.

Today (23 November), the charity launched its first ’Final Hour’ campaign, a donation programme to support the charity’s work.

The campaign will ask law firms from across Ireland to consider donating the last billable hour of the year to support MLRC to continue its work in 2023.

Legal professionals could contribute towards helping the homeless, who were among the most marginalised in society, MLRC said.

Mercy Law managing solicitor Aoife Kelly-Desmond said this morning: “Lawyers are used to accounting for every minute of their time.

Barriers

“This year, Mercy Law Resource Centre is asking law firms and legal professionals to consider donating the value of their final billable hour of 2022.  This contribution will help MLRC support people facing homelessness through legal barriers preventing them from accessing safe, securing housing.”

So far in 2022, MLRC has seen a 180% increase in queries from those who were refused access to emergency homeless accommodation, when compared with 2021.

In 2021 MLRC received over 2,000 phone calls, and assisted 503 individuals and families at risk of homelessness.

The charity opened new 276 legal advice files and advised 44 organisations.

Firms who wish to donate to the campaign can find more information at: www.mercylaw.ie