Living Independently through Housing First
Mark, a Housing First client, has kindly shared his story of being homeless and the positive impact of NOVAS’ Housing First programme on his life:
‘For a long time I had no place to call home. I slept rough in graveyards around Limerick and went from one hostel to another. It was awful…not just for the obvious reasons of being cold and hungry but I didn’t feel good about myself and my health deteriorated.
When I joined NOVAS’ Housing First programme I didn’t know what to expect, I certainly did not expect what I have today. My keyworkers talked me through the process and helped me gain an apartment of my own. They supported me in living independently again and they still provide that support now when I need it.
Since then my life has been completely different. I have a place to call home, a place where I feel comfortable, a place where I feel safe and where my children and family can come and visit me. It has not only helped me with confidence and gaining my independence back but my self-esteem. I am proud of myself and I know my family are proud of me too.
Having a place of my own where I can hang up my photographs and cook my own meals and be myself feels really good. I feel like I am part of the community again. I am now doing things for myself that I could not have before and that is a good feeling…’
