This longitudinal qualitative research study explores the effects of changes that ensued in service delivery as a result of COVID-19 for people living in Dublin experiencing mental-ill health, substance use disorder (SUD) and/or homelessness/housing insecurity. The research was carried out in two phases. Interviews were carried out during the period October and November 2020, and again in July/August 2021 with the same participants. The research focusses on the lives of ten participants who are engaged in two services that provide care to people experiencing mental ill-health, substance misuse and homelessness in the Dublin area - Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) and HSE ACCES. MQI is an NGO which provides a range of support services for those experiencing homelessness, those in substance use and their families. MQI provides day programmes, residential detox and drug-free rehabilitation services, needle exchange as well health and counselling services and a homeless drop-in service.

HSE ACCES is a statutory mental health service for homeless people that uses a multidisciplinary approach. Established in 2004, it has a team which comprises of a social worker, occupational therapist and psychologist as well as mental health nurses and psychiatrists. The goal is to treat homeless people with severe mental ill-health (such as Schizoaffective Disorder) who may also be experiencing substance use issues. Both services experienced substantial changes in service delivery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this research aims to explore the impact that this has had on the day-to-day lives of the people that are supported by both organisations.