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3rd February 2012
12:57pm GMT
Christmas can be a hard enough time for some people, least of all if you have problems trying to find somewhere to live. For those waiting on the housing list, a month, or six months can feel like eternity.
by Genna Patterson
This is where Cluid comes in. Not quite a charity, not quite a business, Cluid is a not-for-profit organization who provide good quality, affordable homes to people on the housing waiting list.
There are currently about 100,000 people waiting for a home on the housing list in Ireland. Cluid have rehomed 3578 people since their establishment in 1994.
That’s good going so far.
With the recession hitting, the housing list has only grown longer, as people are forced to give up their homes due to mortgage issues or high rents. For others, they never had a home to begin with.
Cluid also give second chances and help supply housing to those whom some landlords would chose not to rent to.
One such Cluid occupant is Alan McKenna, a long term drug addict, now clean and sober for seven years. Few landlords would consider renting to a former drug addicts, so Alan is grateful for Cluids help, “Cluid has helped me so much. I'm living with them…they keep me grounded and made my dreams come true.”
He is trying to make a go of things, and with Cluids help he can.
This year Cluid set up a bursary scheme- called Stepping Stones to support tenants through education- a prize that Alan won.
This bursary will help finance Alan to educate himself. With the award, Alan has begun studying Addiction Studies and in turn wants to help people like himself – those with addictions, change for the better and get help.
Alan says of his time as an addict, “My life just fell apart. Heroin just sucks the life out of you. Your health deteriorates rapidly and you’ll do anything for your next fix. I reached my lowest point from age 18-25.”
Alan’s breaking point was when a Garda visited his house and made him look at himself in a mirror, to see the effects of the drugs on his body. He got clean with the help of doctors and it’s been a slow road back, but he’s now drug free for seven years.
Cluid were part of his road back, providing housing when others would have turned him away for his past mistakes.
Cluid also help those with needs for sheltered housing facilities. Sheila and Mick Manhire, a couple in their 80’s, were living in London, where Mick was from. However, Sheila, who moved from Killarney in the 40’s for work, always wanted to come home.
The couple are fiercely independent and active still. They moved back to Ireland, to Cluids Sheltered Housing in Killarney in 2008.
Sheila says “One day I saw this advert from the Safe Home programme* inviting applicants to return to Ireland so I wrote them a letter.”
The Cluid Sheltered Living facility allows retirees to live in self-catering housing, in a picturesque setting.
“I love the community. We’re blessed with neighbours. And I love where we’re situated,” says Sheila.
The sheltered housing also has support services for those that need assistance. Community events such as coffee mornings, exercise classes and art classes take place to keep the residents active and involved in their community.
Loneliness can be a dangerous thing for the elderly and Cluids Sheltered Housing encourages those who live there to join in and make friends with their neighbours.
Sheila bakes cakes for the coffee morning and Mick too is very active, washing cars and helping people out.
The couple is renowned for leaving dinners wrapped up in tinfoil on their neighbours windowsill, such is the community spirit at Cluid.
Clúid is funded predominantly from the rent they receive (which is always affordable). This is then invested back into the management and upkeep of their properties (they have 3,500 around the country) as well as in communities around the country.
For the delivery of housing they are trying to source funding through private means, such as banks because there is no more funding available from the Government to deliver social housing. They also receive a small amount of Government subsidies.
With all the good intentions and assistance to those in need, JOE just want to say fair play to Cluid and keep up the good work.
If you would like to contact Cluid you can phone +353 1 707 2088.
