by Alan Jacques
“MY children worried all the time about where we would live, where Santa would come, where we would hang the decorations.”
These heartfelt words from Limerick mother-of-three Theodora Cleland perfectly capture the cold, harsh reality for families at risk of homelessness this Christmas.
Originally from Ghana, Theodara and her children, have lived with this dark cloud of fear that they too could end up out on the streets.
After her landlord was forced to sell their rented home five years ago, they were forced to share a three-bedroom house with 17 members of their extended family.
But Christmas came early this week when Novas Homeless Services gave them the present they most desired — a new home.
Marking ten years in Limerick this year, the charity has supported more than 1,000 families who were homeless or at risk of homelessness throughout the city. Referrals to the homeless service have increased by 350 per cent nationally in the last five years as demand continues to outstrip capacity.
According to head of Novas’ Homeless Services, Anne Cronin, the Intensive Family Support Service was established after identifying an urgent need to support marginalised and vulnerable families in the city.
“The service started with just a small number of clients but has grown exponentially since. The more recent national housing crisis of the last two years has also exacerbated an already fragile situation,” she told the Limerick Post.
However, it is not all bad news.
Last year, Novas Initiatives was awarded €300,000 from the JP McManus Benevolent Fund to help acquire eight family homes in the city.
Eight Limerick families are now moving into their new homes in time for Christmas.
After getting keys to her new home in Dooradoyle, Ms Cleland and her three children are looking forward to Christmas and a bright future.
Living in Limerick since 2002, her marriage broke down after her daughter being diagnosed with autism.
“It was a very difficult time but at least we had a roof over our heads. We had security,” she recalls.
However, after living in the same home for five years, Theodora was given notice to quit when her landlord was forced to sell the home.
“I was devastated and extremely stressed. I know now that homelessness can happen to anyone. I thought it was my turn to be on the streets. Thanks to Novas, it is not.
“The whole experience had a very negative impact on my family. My children worried all the time about where we would live, where Santa would come, where we would hang the decorations. Now that has been resolved.”
Ms Cleland believes the moment a social worker referred her to Novas Initiatives was the moment “that changed everything”. She describes her key-worker as “a sister, a role-model”, and says she was the first person “who made time to listen to me”.
Once settled in their new home, Theodora plans to return to work.
“I worked for many years in Dell but following its closure, my daughter’s diagnosis, my marriage break-down and the threat of living on the streets, I haven’t worked in a few years. I plan on returning to work soon. It’s important for my children to see their mother working. With the stress gone, I can start looking for work again,” she said.
Sabrina, a native of Limerick, was also fortunate to move into another of Novas’ homes in the city in time for Christmas.
Sabrina and her children were forced into homeless accommodation for four months. She describes the impact on her family as “devastating, having to travel over an hour to and from school every day”.
“I am absolutely thrilled with my new home. Only for Novas I would be lost, they are like family to me,” Sabrina explained.
Novas Initiatives have stressed the importance of securing accommodation for families and said it is delighted to be able to provide new homes for them, particularly at this time of the year.
“The provision of long-term, independent housing is a strategic objective of Novas and will continue to support marginalised people in the city in this way,” Ms Cronin said.
