Impromptu Ask Me Anything: Homelessness

kippy · 26-04-2019 1:20am

Arghus wrote: »

To be fair we really don't know much about the OP's situation: you can't learn much from a few lines of text on an anonymous message board. I wouldn't presume to have all the answers.

Indeed. I am basing my opinion on what is on these pages - that's all we have to go on.
And my opinions apply to this person and what is on these pages.

I don't presume to have all the answers either, thankfully.

RWCNT · 26-04-2019 1:22am

kippy wrote: »

It's not really a sad indictment of anything.

I went to college, as did many others. It wasn't without personal sacrifice or sacrifices of my parents. Decisions were made and things were done without.

The OP is trying to put themselves through college - an admirable ambition that they have decided is more important than a stable roof over their heads for the minute.

Are you familiar with the "just world fallacy"?

Arghus · 26-04-2019 1:24am

kippy wrote: »

Indeed. I am basing my opinion on what is on these pages - that's all we have to go on.
And my opinions apply to this person and what is on these pages.

I don't presume to have all the answers either, thankfully.

Personally, I think someone who works a minimum of 25 hours a week - as The OP claims - should be able to at least afford a modest place to live/rent, but increasingly in Ireland that isn't the case.

kippy · 26-04-2019 1:25am

RWCNT wrote: »

Are you familiar with the "just world fallacy"?

Let's not muddy the waters.

kippy · 26-04-2019 1:29am

Arghus wrote: »

Personally, I think someone who works a minimum of 25 hours a week - as The OP claims - should be able to at least afford a modest place to live/rent, but increasingly in Ireland that isn't the case.

Look,
I don't know what they are getting paid, their other expenses or where they go to college in Dublin but assuming it's minimum wage there are options.
https://www.daft.ie/student-accommodation/dit-rathmines-road/rooms-to-share/?s%5Barea_type%5D=near&s%5Bmxp%5D=800
So I don't know why the OP, based on what they are saying, is in the position they are in.

poisonated · 26-04-2019 1:29am

kippy wrote: »

Look,
I don't know what they are getting paid, their other expenses or where they go to college in Dublin but assuming it's minimum wage there are options.
https://www.daft.ie/student-accommodation/dit-rathmines-road/rooms-to-share/?s%5Barea_type%5D=near&s%5Bmxp%5D=800
So I don't know why the OP, based on what they are saying, is in the position they are in.

That’s just it. You don’t know.

kippy · 26-04-2019 1:31am

poisonated wrote: »

That’s just it. You don’t know.

Ah come on.
Neither do you or indeed anyone on this thread!
- We are going on what we are being told.

I was specifically addressing the point made by Arghus.

bodhrandude · 26-04-2019 1:31am

OP I don't know if you use Facebook or other social media but there is a few house share groups that you could join which could help expand your search a bit, sorry to hear about your troubles.

House Hunting In Dublin.

Dublin Rent Flat House Share.

JupiterKid · 26-04-2019 1:33am

OP - have you tried to source stable accommodation through the HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) scheme?

I’m well aware that the private rented sector is a nightmare these days, largely due to poorly thought-out govt housing policies (I am a housing policy analyst myself) and homelessness is a real problem, particularly in Dublin. All the guff about “wasters” and “forever homes” from posters who don’t have a clue of how the housing system actually works.

threescompany · 26-04-2019 1:34am

Do you get to save much of your salary if you’re not paying rent ? Sorry to hear about your situation.... I’m baffled how you can’t get student accommodation though.....definitely try the welfare officer again.

Arghus · 26-04-2019 1:36am

kippy wrote: »

Look,
I don't know what they are getting paid, their other expenses or where they go to college in Dublin but assuming it's minimum wage there are options.
https://www.daft.ie/student-accommodation/dit-rathmines-road/rooms-to-share/?s%5Barea_type%5D=near&s%5Bmxp%5D=800
So I don't know why the OP, based on what they are saying, is in the position they are in.

There's loads of students everywhere looking for accomodation.

Just because there's listings up on Daft doesn't mean that the market is flooded. There's a lot of people competing for very little availabilty. And presuming, like most students, they're getting minimum wage, rents beginning at roughly 500 euro a month and that's before every other expense is factored in: that's a pretty tight squeeze.

kippy · 26-04-2019 1:40am

Arghus wrote: »

There's loads of students everywhere looking for accomodation.

Just because there's listings up on Daft doesn't mean that the market is flooded. There's a lot of people competing for very little availabilty. And presuming, like most students, they're getting minimum wage, rents beginning at roughly 500 euro a month and that's before every other expense is factored in.

Thanks. I am aware of these factors and again as I've said decisions are required to determine how to prioritise.

How much do you think rents should be in a city centre location to facilitate folks like the OP?

PARlance · 26-04-2019 1:42am

One could make a decision not to derail a thread.

kippy · 26-04-2019 1:44am

PARlance wrote: »

One could make a decision not to derail a thread.

This is an unofficial, unverified AMA in After Hours. You'll forgive me if I question things a bit more than some.

timthumbni · 26-04-2019 1:45am

I really wish you the best OP. I hope something comes good for you and you keep safe and well until it does.

Arghus · 26-04-2019 1:46am

kippy wrote: »

Thanks. I am aware of these factors and again as I've said decisions are required to determine how to prioritise.

How much do you think rents should be in a city centre location to facilitate folks like the OP?

I don't know the answer to that. Obviously rents are sky high because demand is at a historic level.

I think the issue is if you're prepared to say everything is the result of personal decisions and not really acknowledge that there's an absolute crisis in the availability of rental accommodation in the country then I don't think you are looking at the big picture.

padd b1975 · 26-04-2019 1:49am

What are you studying in college?

katiek102010 · 26-04-2019 1:51am

Good luck to you. You come across as very genuine

We have been on the verge of being homeless and I know the terror that comes with it

We have a disabled child. Couldn't source childcare and ended up with only 1 income. We couldn't afford mortgage. Bank refused to restructure mortgage and lost our home.

We were lucky at that time and could rent but last year moved to get closer to a school suitable for our child and ended up with a psychotic landlady from hell. After we moved into the property we noticed a number of things wrong ( serious issues) and our lives were turned upside down.

Council couldn't do anything or so they said tenancy wasn't registered. They came out and did an inspection and that was the last we heard.

We ended up sleeping on the sitting room floor of a family member and luckily got a rental 20 k away

At this time there was a house nearby that we wanted to buy for 100k. We have 80k. We tried every single thing we could think of to get a mortgage or a loan for the difference. We couldn't. We don't have parents. I have 1 sibling and husband has none

He earns 30k pa and banks want 35k min pa to get a mortgage.

It's a dreadful situation to be in and I have a genuine fear on a weekly basis we will end up there the average waiting period on council lists here is 10 years or more

kippy · 26-04-2019 1:53am

Arghus wrote: »

I don't know the answer to that. Obviously rents are sky high because demand is at a historic level.

I think the issue is if you're prepared to say everything is the result of personal decisions and not really acknowledge that there's an absolute crisis in the availability of rental accommodation in the country then I don't think you are looking at the big picture.

I didn't say everything is a result of personal decisions, however in this circumstance I do believe personal decisions have had a major impact.
There is of course a crisis in the availability and price of rental accommodation in the bigger cities and a general issue with housing and social policy. This is widely known.
You can do one of two things, try to take back some control over it or accept it.

poisonated · 26-04-2019 2:09am

kippy wrote: »

I didn't say everything is a result of personal decisions, however in this circumstance I do believe personal decisions have had a major impact.
There is of course a crisis in the availability and price of rental accommodation in the bigger cities and a general issue with housing and social policy. This is widely known.
You can do one of two things, try to take back some control over it or accept it.

Can you please specify as to which decisions you are talking about other than prioritizing going to college versus having a place to sleep? t is obvious that he is a very determined individual.

The Nutty M · 26-04-2019 2:27am

poisonated wrote: »

Can you please specify as to which decisions you are talking about other than prioritizing going to college versus having a place to sleep? t is obvious that he is a very determined individual.

How true. He has the common sense to see that education will get him out of the situation he's in. How many people in the same situation would dump the education and not see the bigger picture.
Rumour has it that Kippy is struggling with the bigger picture too :-)

kippy · 26-04-2019 8:55am

poisonated wrote: »

Can you please specify as to which decisions you are talking about other than prioritizing going to college versus having a place to sleep? t is obvious that he is a very determined individual.

The decision not to ask family for help, the decision not to continue asking friends for help.
If you want to prioritise going to college in the mpst expensive city in the countty rather than have a roof over your head, fair play, as I've already said.
I am not sure what is expected of the state or indeed any of us in order to support the OP.
Free accommodation in the place of their choosing? Cheap (but undefined) accommodation in the place of their choosing?
A dry hostel has been suggested. Perhaps this is the answer.

kippy · 26-04-2019 8:57am

The Nutty M wrote: »

How true. He has the common sense to see that education will get him out of the situation he's in. How many people in the same situation would dump the education and not see the bigger picture.
Rumour has it that Kippy is struggling with the bigger picture too :-)

Again, staying in college is a good thing. I never said it was a bad decision.

Mrs OBumble · 26-04-2019 9:22am

kippy wrote: »

Again, staying in college is a good thing. I never said it was a bad decision.

Maybe. It depends what you're studying and whether it will lead to better paying work.

What are you studying, OP?

mariaalice · 26-04-2019 10:29am

On a technical point the OP is not homeless they are temporally living in a hostel.

There was a really interesting article in the Irish time about potential homeless or maybe insecurity in renting and all the people were older and had led somewhat unconventional lives, or were self-employed or had a property at one time but had drifted around or had travled a lot and were older before getting themselves sorted or lived in Dublin and want to stay there.

The op dose not have any family or friends that would support them.

Modern life is very hard on some people and its simply not possible to live comfortably without a lof constraints and a strong support network in Dublin unless you are well off.

Homeless2019 · 26-04-2019 10:42pm

JupiterKid wrote: »

OP - have you tried to source stable accommodation through the HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) scheme?

Yes, I've applied for this and am awaiting a decision. There's currently a backlog in the Dublin metropolitan area, but once my eligibility is confirmed, that should help.

A troublesome factor might be the fact that my wife and I are informally separated but not divorced. She knows nothing about any of this, and the housing officer advised me that it might cause a delay, how long she could not say, but we have extensive evidence of having lived apart for a few years now.

I’m well aware that the private rented sector is a nightmare these days, largely due to poorly thought-out govt housing policies (I am a housing policy analyst myself) and homelessness is a real problem, particularly in Dublin. All the guff about “wasters” and “forever homes” from posters who don’t have a clue of how the housing system actually works.

Thank you for this.

padd b1975 wrote: »

What are you studying in college?

I'd rather not specify this, as I've already given details which might identify me to some people. It's not an arts degree, if that's what you're asking. I'm studying a scientific discipline.

kippy wrote: »

The decision not to ask family for help, the decision not to continue asking friends for help.
If you want to prioritise going to college in the mpst expensive city in the countty rather than have a roof over your head, fair play, as I've already said.
I am not sure what is expected of the state or indeed any of us in order to support the OP.
Free accommodation in the place of their choosing? Cheap (but undefined) accommodation in the place of their choosing?
A dry hostel has been suggested. Perhaps this is the answer.

Just to be clear, I'm not posting here to 'ask the state' for anything.

If I were asking the State for something, this would be the wrong way to go about it.

My only point in starting this thread was so that people would feel free to (as it says on the tin) ask anything of a homeless person, and maybe to see that it can happen easier than you think.

mariaalice wrote: »

On a technical point the OP is not homeless they are temporally living in a hostel.

It's a hostel solely for homeless people, paid for by myself and Dublin City Council, who have decided that me, and everyone else who stays there, is in need of emergency (homeless) accommodation.

I'm sleeping on a floor in College tonight for the second night in a row. I'm pretty homeless if you ask me.

dartboardio · 26-04-2019 10:48pm

'they cant help every student'

Ummm.. There are probably only 1 of you students actually homeless or at most a couple of others.

You seriously haven't been onto the college are they aware you're sleeping in hostels?

Dont think were getting the full story here.

A university wouldn't see their student sleeping in a homeless hostel if they knew.

What address did you use to sign up if you're out of the family home since 17

What about the homeless HAP Scheme? You are deemed homeless and they pay your deposit and weekly rent. Why have you not looked into this? Or have you?

You say you are working 25 hours a week. So where does your 230 odd euro go every week? Student nights? Drugs? Loan? Which is it and why can't you put that towards a room or Hap accomodation?

Homeless2019 · 26-04-2019 10:53pm

dartboardio wrote: »

'they cant help every student'

Ummm.. There are probably only 1 of you students actually homeless or at most a couple of others.

You seriously haven't been onto the college are they aware you're sleeping in hostels?

Dont think were getting the full story here.

A university wouldn't see their student sleeping in a homeless hostel if they knew.

What address did you use to sign up if you're out of the family home since 17

I spoke about Housing in general to College last Sept. Regarding this current problem, I assume the College would direct me to the available services like HAP, which I am doing. This is a College of almost 17,000 students. I don't expect them to house me and every other student who cannot afford his or her rent, but yes, I probably should get onto them.

The other reason I haven't done so is that it's a pretty embarrassing thing to even speak about this on an anonymous internet board,let alone to your tutor or a College Officer, some of whom I know fairly well from various clubs and societies.

timthumbni · 26-04-2019 11:01pm

dartboardio wrote: »

'they cant help every student'

Ummm.. There are probably only 1 of you students actually homeless or at most a couple of others.

You seriously haven't been onto the college are they aware you're sleeping in hostels?

Dont think were getting the full story here.

A university wouldn't see their student sleeping in a homeless hostel if they knew.

What address did you use to sign up if you're out of the family home since 17

What about the homeless HAP Scheme? You are deemed homeless and they pay your deposit and weekly rent. Why have you not looked into this? Or have you?

You say you are working 25 hours a week. So where does your 230 odd euro go every week? Student nights? Drugs? Loan? Which is it and why can't you put that towards a room or Hap accomodation?

Jaysus man. Walk a mile in another mans shoes and all that. I think that’s a bit harsh on the kid.

Homeless2019 · 26-04-2019 11:06pm

dartboardio wrote: »

What address did you use to sign up if you're out of the family home since 17

Wasn't going to reply to this, but I did say Ask me Anything so...

I have been renting for about 6 years. Never had an issue until there was a rent increase and about a year later, a relationship breakdown.

There has never been a need to use my old family address, I haven't lived there for over 6 years.

What about the homeless HAP Scheme? You are deemed homeless and they pay your deposit and weekly rent. Why have you not looked into this? Or have you?

I have. There is currently a backlog in Dublin.

You say you are working 25 hours a week. So where does your 230 odd euro go every week? Student nights? Drugs? Loan? Which is it and why can't you put that towards a room or Hap accomodation?

Food (which is really expensive when you can't cook, and have to eat prepared meals like sandwiches), my Dublin City Homeless Hostel (no, they're not free), college materials, buses. There isn't enough to pay weekly rent, let alone a deposit and rent.

CalamariFritti · 26-04-2019 11:07pm

Jesus lads. How big is your family? Why dont you have more friends? What makes you think you should pay less than 500 euro for a room? Why don't you ****off? Why do you dare to exist? Is this a who can ask the meanest questions competition?

kippy · 26-04-2019 11:09pm

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Jesus lads. How big is your family? How many friends have you? What makes you think you should pay less than 500 euro for a room? Why don't you ****off? Why do you dare to exist? Is this a who can ask the meanest questions competition?

Ah seriously.

CalamariFritti · 26-04-2019 11:11pm

Ah seriously what?

Homeless2019 · 26-04-2019 11:11pm

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Jesus lads. How big is your family? How many friends have you? What makes you think you should pay less than 500 euro for a room? Why don't you ****off? Why do you dare to exist? Is this a who can ask the nastiest questions contest?

Thanks man! It's grand, I knew what I was doing starting this in AH, it's no bother·

Before I became homeless I'd probably have asked a lot of these questions myself, although maybe just in my own head. I want people to know there are all kinds of homeless people out there and whether we're addicted to something or not, or working or in college or unemployed, we're all regular people like everyone else is.

timthumbni · 26-04-2019 11:13pm

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Jesus lads. How big is your family? Why dont you have more friends? What makes you think you should pay less than 500 euro for a room? Why don't you ****off? Why do you dare to exist? Is this a who can ask the meanest questions competition?

Aye, there is certainly a lot of billy big balls around here. Bad situations can happen to anyone at any time.

Farawayhome · 26-04-2019 11:19pm

This is not the first time I've noticed bullying on boards.ie. I know it's just online, faceless cowards and we can brush it off but what's wrong with these people?

CalamariFritti · 26-04-2019 11:29pm

I can emphatize with the OP, that's all. I was in a similar enough situation. You dont even have to be all that unlucky or make bad decisions to be just scraping by. I had to support myself too during college/uni, not that unusual really where I am from and at the time . But I was lucky to have an affordable flat, social housing. And the hours I worked I was able to use for rent, bills, food etc not just for an exorbitant rent. Now I'm an engineer for over twenty years paying very good taxes. So even if you want to be cynical and make it all about money it worked out for the state/society. Wasn't even that my flat was subsidised, was simply not left to the sharks. Of course thats changed in my hometown too now, but nowhere near as bad as Dublin.

Homeless2019 · 26-04-2019 11:31pm

Farawayhome wrote: »

This is not the first time I've noticed bullying on boards.ie. I know it's just online, faceless cowards and we can brush it off but what's wrong with these people?

Ah man, after a few weeks in a homeless hostel, you get a bit hard-nosed, it doesn't bother me! But I appreciate the kind words.

I didn't respond to a few people who mentioned student accommodation. Just so you know, it costs about 6k from September to May, it's not all that different to private accommodation but you have to pay in two big lump sums, so that has never been a runner. I'd put it this way, the students who tend to live in Halls aren't exactly broke! There isn't any kind of scheme for poorer students, nor am I asking for one.

timthumbni · 26-04-2019 11:45pm

How is your mental mood after all of this? I assume you must have been quite strong mentally to cope with this?

This is it · 26-04-2019 11:52pm

Farawayhome wrote: »

This is not the first time I've noticed bullying on boards.ie. I know it's just online, faceless cowards and we can brush it off but what's wrong with these people?

Some posts are a bit OTT but if you have seen any "bullying" in the thread I'd suggest you're a bit precious.

Arghus · 27-04-2019 12:07am

Farawayhome wrote: »

This is not the first time I've noticed bullying on boards.ie. I know it's just online, faceless cowards and we can brush it off but what's wrong with these people?

Forget it man, it's After Hours.

dartboardio · 27-04-2019 12:22am

Guys.. Relax.

Im not a bully for asking OP all those questions earlier.. It is an ask me anything thread.

I may be a bit naive at times and wanted to know why OPs college wasnt aware of the homeless situation and also where his or her wages go each week if they are earning 200/250 a week.

There was no nastiness meant whatsoever. Just curious trying to cover all aspects.

I know day to day living costs can be expensive especially in Dublin. And hope you get a fixed abode sometime soon OP.

But i do fail to understand that on a 25 hour wage a week how you are not entitled to anything else.. Ie a grant or assistance with housing

I know food is expensive but I am on 300 a week and i would struggle to spend it all on food, but when im out drinking etc with friends it goes pretty fast.. Do you struggle with handling your money?

Just trying to get a more clear view of the situation was all.

Best of luck OP

Homeless2019 · 27-04-2019 2:08am

dartboardio wrote: »

But i do fail to understand that on a 25 hour wage a week how you are not entitled to anything else.. Ie a grant or assistance with housing

I know food is expensive but I am on 300 a week and i would struggle to spend it all on food, but when im out drinking etc with friends it goes pretty fast.. Do you struggle with handling your money?

Just trying to get a more clear view of the situation was all.

I'm not drinking away the 250-odd quid I earn a week, if that's what you're asking, nor do I struggle with managing money. You get pretty good at handling money when necessity dictates it.

I can't cook at the homeless hostel, there's no kitchen. So everything has to be bought in shops and cafes, which is a big hit. There's also the hostel's rent, and the cost of getting public transport to and from work. I'm lucky that all my basic needs are net, but there's no way I can pay rent on top of this.

And yes, I could probably put whatever I can save towards a deposit, but my hours aren't even guaranteed in the shop I work in, I have no idea what I'll be earning a month from now.

I don't want to come across as trying to sound self-pitying, I'm just explaining the facts exactly as they are right now. I've done the sums, I've queued for the flat-shares, it is really not doable.

I've seen the unemployment slips of some of the guys I'm in the hostel with, and they're on approximately the same money as me. Does anyone really think you can rent a flat-share in Dublin on your Dole and eat and afford the bus, at the same time? I'd love to hear how that works!

Subcomandante Marcos · 27-04-2019 2:21am

mariaalice wrote: »

On a technical point the OP is not homeless they are temporally living in a hostel.

That the most ridiculous attempt at pedantry I've seen in days.

You people with no fixed address, who don't know where they will sleep from one day to the next, are homeless.

The OP is homeless but every working definition of the term.

Subcomandante Marcos · 27-04-2019 2:23am

dartboardio wrote: »

'
A university wouldn't see their student sleeping in a homeless hostel if they knew.

Wow, I think you actually believe that?

There are dozens of people studying in third level institutions in Dublin who are homeless.

27-04-2019 2:29am

jesus folks if the OP didnt want to discuss their situation theyd hardly have started a bloody thread about it would ye harden up.

OP admits he can save money and hasnt actually gone to his college to avail of supports available.

like. good luck op but cmon. kippy is bang on, if a little direct. you seem levelheaded enough but there is definitely an element of not having done the obvious here.

Rubberchikken · 27-04-2019 2:33am

im sorry to read of your situation.
one thing that annoys me about these shelters is the seeming willingness to allow junkies etc to continue with their drugs/drink/unacceptable behaviour.
isnt this just giving them a place in which to carry on these addictions at the expense of others who dont do drugs etc?

its good that you've remained in college. best of luck with your future.

27-04-2019 2:47am

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Wow, I think you actually believe that?

There are dozens of people studying in third level institutions in Dublin who are homeless.

if you were one of "dozens" of people in a situation out of a population of -lets say that dublin is an absolute must for. argument's sake- half a million, its very fair to note that it requires a high level of passivity (at best) to find yourself in that number

ive put a sibling up for extended periods of time in a similar situation, and i worked my own way through a couple of attempts at college after leaving home at 17 myself.

im renting in dublin and the market is fcuked but if you asked me if a working student absolutely positively could not find a room for rent within travel distance of the city......yeah i just dunno about that

Homeless2019 · 27-04-2019 3:01am

Deleted User wrote: »

like. good luck op but cmon. kippy is bang on, if a little direct. you seem levelheaded enough but there is definitely an element of not having done the obvious here.

To say that I haven't approached anybody in person about this problem is accurate enough, but I have done some homework. There are student welfare loans of up to 100 euro, but no other supports as far as I can see, at least not for undergraduates in the early phase of our studies.

I'll go and speak to College officials in the coming week, I haven't already done so mainly out of embarrassment, but I honestly think you're overestimating the extent to which they could possibly help.

Rubberchikken wrote: »

im sorry to read of your situation.
one thing that annoys me about these shelters is the seeming willingness to allow junkies etc to continue with their drugs/drink/unacceptable behaviour.
isnt this just giving them a place in which to carry on these addictions at the expense of others who dont do drugs etc?

its good that you've remained in college. best of luck with your future.

I also want to be clear that I'm not in any way condemning those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol in those hostels. I'd rather not be sharing dorm rooms with them, but when they're sober, they're just ordinary people in a really bad place. I've already mentioned that many of them have been in the 'care' of the state from a young age, and had really messed up childhoods. I think I'd be like that if I'd been in their shoes, maybe you would be too.

Deleted User wrote: »

im renting in dublin and the market is fcuked but if you asked me if a working student absolutely positively could not find a room for rent within travel distance of the city......yeah i just dunno about that

You think it's possible to save for a month's deposit, a month's rent, and eat food on 200-odd quid a week, with minimal reliable hours, and that a Landlord would take-on such a liability during a massive supply shortage?

PM me if you're a landlord like that, because I haven't met any.

I really wish renting in Dublin were that simple.

27-04-2019 3:16am

good luck to you in talking to the student support/welfare people in your college. i think your comment that ppl are 'seriously overestimating what they might be able to do' is telling, really.

if its not a windup its astonishing that youd be homeless on the back of that without even having asked.

Impromptu Ask Me Anything: Homelessness

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