A dad of five who became homeless has stressed the system here is “horrific” but there is hope for people with the right support.
Alan Brown, who moved between hostels for eight months following the breakdown of his marriage, is now running his own painting business.
The Dubliner, who wed in 1993 and moved to Wicklow town, said: “I went from where I was renting a room straight to my brother in Tallaght in February 2018 with suicidal thoughts and they got me into the hospital.
“I was monitored for two weeks until they felt I was strong enough to be discharged into the homeless services. I talked to a psychiatrist every day.”
Upon his discharge, the 50-year-old painter and decorator was met by a Dublin Region Homeless Executive social worker who registered him.
He managed to get into Merchants Quay where he spoke with staff about his situation. Alan, originally from Stillorgan, said he was comfortable there but refused certain hostels because he feared for his safety.
He added: “The initial feeling [of being homeless] is I’m not going to survive it but I was one of the lucky ones that never spent one night under the stars.
“I’ve seen people do whatever type of drug is out there. I nearly saw a chap murdered.
“The guy was beat to a pulp by a chap with two knuckle dusters right in front of me and I couldn't do anything about it.
“One fella got him from the back and held his two arms and the other went hell for leather on him.
“I’d say it was drug-related. The fella who did it was high as a kite and that frightened the life out of me.”
Alan, who has no addiction issues, said in total he spent about four-and-a-half months in Merchants Quay.
On November 1, he got a Housing Assistance Payment placement and is now living in a one-bedroom apartment in Carrickmines.
He said: “HAP pay the landlord €990 a month and I pay 15% of my income. It gives you back your
independence and your life. I had a fantastic support network of family and a few very close friends.
“I’m out the other side now and I just hope my story will inspire people that if they use the homeless system right they can do what I did.”
After a pal got him part-time work, Alan was able to start up his old painting and decorating business, AB Decor, again earlier this year.
He said: “God help the people that don’t [have family or friends]. They’ve got to use the support network like their key-workers.
“If they got a six-month bed and they’re entitled to HAP they’ve got to be sending out emails [to landlords], they’ve got to do their homework.
“If you get a landlord to accept HAP you’re on the road to recovery.” Alan has now volunteered to decorate a supplies storage area for Feed Our Homeless on Dublin’s Lower Mount Street.
Charity chief Tony Walsh said they are looking for painters to contact them on 01 444 2966 or 0858 231764 and thanked everyone who has offered to help so far.
