Architects raise nearly €90,000 for homelessness with free consultations

In return for a donation of €125, homeowners receive an hour-long consultation where participating architects give their time and expertise for free, with every cent raised going directly to Simon Community

Add to preferred sources News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 17:47, 02 Sep 2026 View Image Lord Mayor Daryl Barron at the RIAI Simon Open Door 2026 Celebration Event in the Mansion House

Architects raised nearly €90,000 towards homelessness support by offering their time and expertise for a good cause.

The RIAI Simon Open Door initiative is a collaboration between the Simon Communities of Ireland (SCI) and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI). This offers the unique opportunity for homeowners to realise the potential of their properties through a consultation.

In return for a donation of €125, homeowners receive an hour-long consultation with an RIAI registered architect to discuss building, renovating or retrofitting their home. All participating architects give their time and expertise for free, with every cent raised going directly to the Simon Communities of Ireland.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron hosted the RIAI Simon Open Door 2026 Celebration Event in the Mansion House. Highlighting the 2026 ‘Your Expertise Can Open Doors’ campaign, he commended the architects who helped 670 homeowners access professional advice while raising money for a charitable cause.

“These funds will support vital frontline services for people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, as well as Simon’s advocacy, research and policy work addressing the root causes of homelessness,” a statement from the Lord Mayor’s social media said.

“At a time when homelessness remains one of Ireland’s most pressing social challenges, initiatives like RIAI Simon Open Door demonstrate the power of partnership and what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose - a future where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.”

Figures from Dublin Simon confirm that the capital remains at the epicentre of Ireland’s homelessness crisis as the number of people sleeping rough in the city rose by 12%. The latest Spring 2026 Spring Count of People who are Rough Sleeping in Dublin highlights the urgent need for a dedicated Dublin Housing and Homelessness Strategy, the charity have said.

The June count recorded 136 people sleeping rough in the Dublin Region during the week of the count, between 13th to 19th April 2026, representing a 12% increase in comparison to the same period in 2025. “Every person recorded in this count is a human being without the safety, dignity and stability of a home,” Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community stated.

“They share three stark realities: sleeping rough, experiencing acute vulnerability, and having nowhere to call home. Shelter is a fundamental human right, and no one should have to bed down on the streets of our capital.”

“This is a reflection of Government policy that is not keeping pace with demand and a support system that needs great capacity to respond to increasingly complex needs. Unless we address these issues, the numbers bedding down on the street will continue to grow regardless of how many emergency responses we put in place. That’s why we are calling for a nationally led Dublin Housing and Homelessness strategy, backed by dedicated funding and coordinated delivery.”

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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