I was ‘homeless’ in my 20s, reveals Brendan
RTÉ’s Off The Rails star was forced to stay with friends
BRENDAN Courtney has claimed that he was once ‘homeless’ while living in London.
The TV presenter and fashion designer’s comments have been backed by homelessness charity Focus Ireland, which said people in the same situation are ‘the hidden homeless’.
In remarks that will provoke debate about whether such an experience counts as homelessness, Courtney, 44, spoke about a period when he was in his late 20s and found himself in difficult circumstances.
‘I broke up with a partner,’ he said. ‘Now, I could stay with friends, or go back to Ireland, but technically I was homeless. These days, though, people hardly even have those options.’ Courtney added that he was aware his difficulties pale in comparison to what some of our population are currently facing – a topic he covers in his new RTÉ2 TV show, This Crowded House.
‘I’m not a social worker but with this show, I can hopefully shine a light on the situation and help move things forward,’ he said.
Focus Ireland said people who are sleeping on couches or relying on friends for somewhere to stay are the ‘hidden homeless’. A spokeswoman for the charity told the Irish Daily Mail that people in this situation are very vulnerable as they don’t have the security of their own home.
She said these people are at high risk as after a few days their welcome is often worn out and they are constantly looking for someone to take them in. She also said the breakdown of a relationship or family relations are among main reasons that people find themselves homeless.
Courtney’s new four-part series deals with the housing crisis, and looks at the scenario of adults in their 20s and 30s forced to live at home due to rising rental costs.
In an interview with the RTÉ Guide, the designer said that even though he tried to remain objective, he was touched by the plight of some of those who participated in the documentary.
He said: ‘I have a spare room and there were a few times when I thought, “Jesus we could help them – we could take one of them in!” It was so grim at times.’
Courtney said moving out on your own is an essential marker on the path to adulthood, and lamented the current culture of exorbitant rents that prevents the new generation from experiencing this independence.
He met Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy while filming the programme and believes the Government has handed the TD a poisoned chalice.
The unregulated private rental sector is one of the major issues identified in the show, and Courtney is adamant that this area needs to be addressed before any rental parity can be reached.
‘Profit before people doesn’t work when it comes to fundamental things like health and housing and education,’ he said.
‘I want to shine a light on the situation’