Mum of children with special needs faces homelessness

A single mother of two children with special needs in Cavan risks homelessness if she does not find a place to stay with her family imminently.

Back in March, Vanessa Rodrigues was told that the house she was renting was going up for sale meaning she needed to find a new home for herself and her two children. The family have been living there for eight years and while her landlord is allowing them to stay until they find another home, the latter is proving difficult. Her attempts to find a new place have been futile and she’s appealing to property owners in the county town to help them.

“I have been trying to rent another house,” Vanessa told the Celt.

“The real difficulty is finding houses that accept my family’s situation,” she said.

Nationally, homelessness has reached another record high in Ireland as the number of people using emergency accommodation rose to 16,353. While Vanessa is facing the reality that she may become homeless, she is also the mum of two children with special needs.

The Celt met Maria at a disability protest in Cavan town last Thursday morning, where she was joined by several other parents who are crying out for more services for their children.

Vanessa’s daughter Maria, who is eight years old, has autism, ADHD and a moderate intellectual disability; while her son Joao (9) has Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).

“The situation is very difficult, given the circumstances of having children, not working outside the home and being a single mother.

“It’s hard because she [Maria] is very nervous, she doesn’t sleep.”

“My daughter needs care and attention full time,” explained Maria, meaning she is unable to work outside the home.

“I’m scared, it’s very hard to think about this situation. I applied for all houses on the websites.”

Vanessa is looking for a home in Cavan Town as she does not have a car and is juggling appointments for her youngest child Maria who is under the care of CAMHS and the CDNT.

Maria attends the ASD unit in Milltown National School by bus; while her son attends St Felim’s National School in Cavan. She told the Celt that accommodation outside the town would “not work” for her circumstances.

Meanwhile, Vanessa was also protesting for more services for her children along with other parents in Cavan town, describing how she is only seeing the CAMHS team and the paediatrician currently. She tried to get Maria into The Holy Family School, however couldn’t get a place.

“My daughter has very complex needs, she is a child who has many meltdowns,” she said.

“Life is very hard,” she said.

“I sent all the documentation for a social house and next week I have one interview,” she said.

Maria was initially given until yesterday (Tuesday) September 30 to vacate her rental property, however her landlord has said she can stay until she finds another home, which left her feeling "relieved". The mum of two, who is originally from Brazil, hopes to receive “good news” as a result of her interview.

Contacted for a response, a Cavan County Council spokesperson said they “cannot comment on individual cases.”

However, in general terms, they said: “Persons who may become or are already homeless are advised to present to their local authority for assistance. All persons presenting as homeless are requested to complete a homeless assessment to determine what housing supports are most appropriate.

“The emphasis is always on homelessness prevention. Where applicable, it is important that tenants and landlords engage with each other at an early stage to avoid situations of homelessness. “Cavan County Council offers housing supports to those presenting as homeless. It will require the person to engage fully with the housing department at an early stage and submit any required documentation.

“Anyone who believes they may become or are homeless may contact Cavan County Council on 049 4378300 or present to the Council offices, at Johnston Central Library, Farnham Street, Cavan, H12C9K1 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, so that an assessment can be undertaken, following which the most suitable housing supports are provided.”