The Interview: Sam McGuinness, CEO, Dublin Simon Community

Sam McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dublin Simon Community, speaks about the Simon Social Impact Fund, an initiative which will help alleviate the homelessness crisis by working with benefactors to provide quality and affordable housing to people who are working their way out of homelessness. Benefactors provide Simon with properties on a pro bono basis for a 15-year period, with a ten-year break clause, after which the ownership reverts to the benefactor. Dublin Simon Community ensures that suitable residents are sourced, and provide the service delivery, housing management and repairs and maintenance for properties acquired through the Simon Social Impact Fund during the leased period. Additionally, Simon manages all rental income, leveraging surplus funds to acquire additional housing stock.

Can you provide an outline to the reader as to the work of Dublin Simon?

This year Dublin Simon Community marks 50 years of rebuilding the lives of people experiencing homelessness, working tirelessly in order to help them get back on their feet. We now provide services at all stages of homelessness to over 6,200 adults and children, and enable people to move to a place they can call home.

Can you talk how your activity in providing housing morphed to the creation of this fund?

In the last number of years, we have increased our housing provision to respond to our significant housing crisis. With over 10,300 adults and children currently living without having access to the basic human need of a safe place to call home, we are responding to an unprecedented demand for help whilst also enhancing and changing how we deliver homes to the most vulnerable in our society.

Since the commencement of our five-year rolling strategy in 2016, we have provided homes for over 900 adults and children. In 2018 alone, we also prevented 985 adults and children from entering homelessness.

Our response continues to evolve due to the nature of our very complex housing crisis. We are focused on long term, innovative, sustainable housing, and continue to work with our network of supporters to provide housing with wraparound supports using the best and most cost-effective solutions. We are always looking for ideas to alleviate the housing crisis in Ireland and, with the advice and guidance of valued supporters of Simon, the Social Impact Fund was developed.

Can you conceptualise your view of “impact investing” and how did this idea form?

Chuck Feeney, one of the world’s greatest philanthropists, had one important message; “give whilst you live”. That is the essence of the Simon Social Impact Fund. Our goal is simple: we aim to help alleviate the housing crisis by working with benefactors to make more quality and affordable housing available to people who are working their way out of difficulties.

Investments take many forms, and we strongly believe not all investments need to have a monetary return as their primary goal. The Social Impact Fund is a truly special initiative which makes a major impact in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. That’s the real value of impact investing. 

Have you received much support for this initiative and if so how did it come to life?

The Simon Social Impact Fund was initiated in June 2018 when a valued supporter of Simon provided us with eight x 2-bed houses in Dublin city centre on a 10-year rent-free lease agreement. The project has been hugely successful, providing 16 people with the stepping stone they need to exit homelessness for good. 

These terraced homes in the heart of Dublin city are providing stability for 16 people in recovery who are focused on rebuilding their lives by entering back into education and employment. To date, they have thrived in this safe and secure environment; eight people have returned to education, eight to employment and two have moved onto more permanent independent housing.

How do you envisage the fund perpetuating?

The Simon Social Impact Fund will exist as long as the housing crisis continues to affect people in every walk of life. With the help of benefactors and the continued support of the public, we hope to be in a position to offer more support for people who have been through the trauma of homelessness and are working to get back on their feet.

What will success look like from your perspective and that of your service users?

In 2019, we want to secure an additional 50 units from benefactors across the Greater Dublin region. For the people we serve, we want to provide a safe, supportive and secure environment in which they can thrive, and return to employability pathways through work or education and ultimately exit homelessness for good.