“There are people who will do their best for you. You don’t have to go through it alone.” - Alina’s Story

Alina, her husband, and their five children spent three years in Private Emergency Accommodation in Galway before they were offered a permanent home. Here, she tells her story. 

Alina, an Irish woman and her family were based overseas. When war broke out in that country, the situation was so unsafe that the Irish embassy advised her to come home to Ireland. Although the family were grateful to be safely home, they could not secure accommodation and found themselves in an overcrowded situation with Alina’s sister. Alina recalls,   

“We tried to look everywhere in Galway, even in Limerick, even in Dublin, but there was nothing. Landlords needed references, and we didn’t have these, having lived abroad. So, we spent a few months with my sister, four adults and six kids in a two-bedroom flat, one of them with additional needs.” 

It came to the point where they could no longer stay at the apartment. Alina’s sister came across COPE Galway online and encouraged her to get in touch, which she did. 

I remember we were sitting in the city centre late at night with nowhere to go. It felt hopeless. I rang the number. I was so nervous, but the lady who took my call was so friendly and reassuring. She redirected me to Galway City Council, and once I had completed the paperwork, we were then placed in emergency accommodation by COPE Galway. We were just relieved to have a roof over our head for the night.” 

However, life in a B&B room came with its own set of challenges.  

‘’There were six of us in one room at one point. People can’t imagine how awful that is. You can’t have your friends over, and you don’t have space for your family.’’  

Here, not having full access to a kitchen meant Alina, a passionate cook who enjoys preparing meals for her family, had to draw from her creativity.  

“You have to learn; think outside the box. I began preparing meals for the children using an air fryer. I’d watch tutorials online.”   

Over the next three years, Alina and her family moved between seven different emergency placements.  In one especially difficult placement, she was heavily pregnant, looking after her family in a bed and breakfast: 

“My husband was working, so I was navigating everything alone. I was scared to ask for help, but when I did, the team at COPE Galway would always look for a solution and support me.” 

Alina’s resilience and determination to create a better future for her family remained strong, and her keyworker supported her at every step, helping with housing applications and providing emotional support.   

Alina remembers the day things began to look up:   

I clearly remember my keyworker telling me I had some post waiting. She asked if I wanted to open it in the office. It was a yellow letter – I didn’t know what it meant, but the staff got excited. They said it was a good sign, the first step in being assessed for a housing allocation.  After that, the offer came in quickly.”   

Alina then navigated the final steps towards her new home.  

“The housing system is complex, with lots of administration. Lorna, my keyworker, guided me through it all. I was in total shock about the housing offer, and it was important to act quickly. I don’t know how I would have managed without her.’’  

Alina and her family are finally settled now. Their new home has brought not just stability, but the chance to enjoy the everyday moments, like sharing meals at the table. Here, Alina can cook freely and take comfort in the simple routines of home life.  

“There are no more curfews or shared kitchens with strangers. The children can have friends over. We have our own space and our own routine. In the B&B, I couldn’t leave my eldest daughter alone – that wasn’t allowed. In our new home, she’s starting to feel more like a teenager, with her own space and independence. Now we create our own routines and decisions. It makes such a difference.”  

The sense of home is something Alina cherishes. She reflects on her extended family visiting for the first time:   

“We made traditional sweets and cooked a big meal. We were together as a whole family. It was the first time we had been able to do this.”  

“The kids have their space now, and we don’t have to worry about bothering anyone. The neighbours are kind and the kids can be themselves. It’s not ideal in every way, but it’s a home and that means so much.’’  

In telling her story, Alina wants any family facing homelessness to know that taking that first step can make all the difference.  

“I was worried to ask for help. I’m a shy person. It was hard to speak up. 

“I want to tell others – don’t hold back. There are people who will do their best for you. You don’t have to go through it alone.”  

*Name and some details changed to protect privacy. 

This story was first published in the 2024 COPE Galway Annual Report.