Imagine having to sit outside in rain, hail, snow, whatever the weather conditions, to put down a deposit for a home for your family. You are living in a very small space, not enough room for your growing family to flourish, but the housing market is so saturated and it’s so tough to get a house, that you can’t help but just continue living in these less-than-ideal circumstances. We’re just having to imagine this scenario, but for some, it’s their reality.
Kieran Ritchie and fiancee Lauren live in a 2-bedroom apartment with their two kids—an eight-year-old daughter and a ten-year-old son. Both the kids live share one bedroom. They have been waiting to claim their new home for the last seven years and haven’t been successful. Well, until now.
Paddy Phelan of Abbeyleix, Co Laois gave up his social housing home for the couple and their two kids and his reasoning is simple yet very heartfelt. The man, who had been living in this house for 12 years explained the reason behind his decision: “I was hearing through the media about families crying out for houses and I was thinking to myself well here I am. I’m in a three-bedroom house and I think the right thing to do would be to downsize to a smaller house. [I’m] sick of seeing the number of houses lying idle and families struggling.” He further admits that it was “the honorable thing to do.”
He hopes that his act of kindness will simply inspire others to do the same. Paddy isn’t asking everyone to let go of their homes, but those who feel that their space is way too big for their (small) family, it would be ideal to downsize and help put a bigger family in a more comfortable house.
Paddy has now moved into a one-bedroom maisonette which he says is very comfortable. Getting a bit into his history, Paddy was in the Defence Forces for 24 years. Now he is a caretaker at Abbeyleix Further Education Centre.
Talking about the soldier’s generosity and their situation, Kieran says: “[For Paddy] to give that up [the house], is a big thing. I’m going to make memories myself there now and we’re very grateful.”
Click on the video below to watch how people are waiting to get assigned homes which would help accommodate their families and their needs.
