Family fighting to find a home
By Katie O'Keeffe
“We have been sleeping in a car while our three young children sleep on a mattress on the floor of their grandparent’s room.”
Margueritte Keenan, her partner and their three children all under the age of six have been homeless in Cork for one year.
She added: “I have three kids we are coming up to Christmas with no home, we are trying our best to find somewhere. Once landlords see we are part of the Traveller community, we are an instant no go for them.”
Ms Keenan has attended multiple house and apartment viewings since becoming homeless. “We are happy to pay rent and keep the house in top condition and when we do get a chance at accommodation. We need a reference from Cork City Council but the council says no, they just will not help us.”
The Cork Independent reached out to City Council for a response.
They replied: “Cork City Council does not discriminate against any applicant on our social housing list. Our Allocations Scheme provides the means for determining the order of priority to be given in the provision of housing supports. Those who are homeless are accorded the highest priority with members of the Travelling community coming as the next highest priority group.”
The statement added: “When families present seeking emergency accommodation, the Accommodation Placement Service will always seek to place them in the Family Hub or Edel House, whichever is appropriate. Both services are run by Good Shepherd Services and are funded by the DoHLGH through Cork City Council specifically for families in Homeless Services.
“Both The Family Hub and Edel House provide safe, appropriate accommodation for families who are homeless and also practical supports to assist families to move efficiently out of homelessness.”
The Keenan family availed of the Family Hub but due to their youngest son’s special needs they don't find it suitable. Margueritte said: “We have explained to the council why it doesn't work but the only option they give us is the Family Hub.”
In the council’s statement it says: “Any client with medical or disability requirements which impact on their housing need can complete a HMD Form 1 for assessment by the City Council to determine if a priority is merited or if a specific accommodation type is needed.”
Catriona Twomey of Cork Penney Dinners says the number of families who need help has drastically risen since the start of Covid-19.
“It is chronic at the moment. There is a huge amount of new faces arriving, people haven't been able to afford their accommodation since the restrictions came.”
Catriona says she is helping a lot more homeless families than previous years. “They are being put into temporary accommodation with nothing so they contact us for help.”
Penney Dinners have families who are set up in B&Bs who have been given temporary accommodation in an apartment or house due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the B&B but once that's cleared after three weeks they are sent back to the one room as a family. Catriona explained: “Even though the family were just housed in a more suitable place, they get out back into the family hub or the B&B once the outbreak is over. How does that make sense? How is that fair to a child?”
Ms Twomey highlighted the urgent homelessness crisis in the city and the amount of derelict buildings. “It's so sad to see, why couldn't these be used for one bedroom apartments? They are needed more than houses.”
Last weekend housing activists took to the Grand Parade for what's being described as a socially-distanced rally demanding an end to the housing crisis.
Rents and house prices in Cork are continually increasing with prices in the city up by 28 per cent in a year while rents are up by over five per cent for most house types.
Political parties and other groups have taken part in the Cork rally as part of the National Homeless and Housing Coalition.
“A one bedroom apartment is cheaper than a house if they were made available then single people and couples would likely prefer them freeing up houses for the families who have nowhere to go,” said Catriona.
Penney Dinners are currently preparing for the winter ahead and are accepting donations of non-perishable packaged foods if you wish to donate them to 4, Little Hanover Street, Cork between 9am-3pm daily. The charity is also accepting weather suitable clothes for the winter.