Eoin

As a single dad, life changed drastically when I became the full-time caregiver for my two young children. At first, we were living between friends’ and family members’ homes, but it became clear we needed a more stable solution. After contacting the Housing Executive, we ended up in a hotel—our “home” for five challenging weeks.

Twenty four year old Courtney from Belfast became homeless with her baby daughter following a family breakdown. Courtney stayed at our Family Centre for six months where she learnt to budget, dividing her money into envelopes to cover weekly costs of heating, food, baby needs etc. When she recently moved into a flat of her own she had no extra money to furnish it, but thanks to help from her Simon Community support worker she was successful in receiving a discretionary support grant which enabled her to get some furniture and kitchen items.

Aoife, 34, moved into Simon Community’s temporary accommodation at Saintfield Road in July last year after surviving years of domestic violence, addiction, and homelessness.