'It breaks my heart' - Homeless woman living in Kildare hotel room with autistic son

A young mother and her four-year-old child with autism having been living in one bedroom in homeless accommodation in Kildare for the past six months.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, is in emergency accommodation in Newbridge which consists of one bedroom in a hotel with other homeless people and families. This situation is extremely difficult for them both and the mother has told us her story to raise awareness and shine a light on her everyday life.

"I have always studied, worked and I have always been independent....but when my son was diagnosed with autism and I became the only person responsible for his daily care, I was no longer able to return to work or continue my studies.

"Today, my life is fully dedicated to making sure he is safe, regulated, supported and emotionally well."

The woman described her son as bright, loving, curious and full of energy and said that he needs routine, movement, stability and space.

"But living in emergency accommodation means living inside one bedroom. Even though our room is comfortable and the accommodation itself is clean and safe, it is still just one room.

"He doesn’t understand why he cannot explore the house freely. I constantly have to remind him: 'This is not our home, we must stay in the room'. No child should grow up hearing that every day."

Before being placed in emergency accommodation, the woman and her young child had no stable home while living in Ireland for the past four years.

They were both moving between temporary places while she was trying to care for her son on her own. 

"Even though I am already approved for long-term housing support, I simply cannot find a home. The rents are too high, and many landlords refuse government housing schemes. Every time I mention that I receive housing support, the conversation ends. It happens again and again.

"I search every day, but without a landlord willing to accept the scheme, I remain stuck in emergency accommodation with my child."

The mother explained that there are days when she and her son must spend hours outside because "it's impossible to keep him inside a single room for long periods. It is exhausting, physically and emotionally, and it breaks my heart".

She has sent us a picture of the room she and her young son are currently living in:

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"I know he needs more than this, and although there are amazing people here, there have also been difficult moments.

"Living with other residents who are also in crisis means being exposed to tension, shouting, misunderstanding and unpredictable behaviour. Once, another resident even accused me of stealing in front of my child because he picked up another child’s toy.

"Moments like this leave a deep emotional mark on a young child who is sensitive and trying to navigate the world."

The woman said that although she is going through a very difficult time, she has met some of the kindest people in her life in the emergency accommodation.

"The owner of the accommodation is extraordinary. She goes far beyond what is expected of her. She buys fresh flowers every week, checks what cereals the children prefer so she doesn’t buy the wrong kind, makes sure that every family is eating well. She treats us with real dignity and humanity. I am deeply grateful for her."

She also said that one of the managers from Kildare County Council who oversees emergency accommodation has also been exceptional.

"I am not mentioning names but he is both professional and human. Today, he personally delivered toys for the children. After a deeply negative experience in Cork, the way I have been treated here has restored some of my faith. They respect us. They care. They try. And that deserves recognition."

However, the woman still stressed that even with all this kindness, the reality remains: emergency accommodation is not a home.

"There is no space, no privacy, no stability. A child cannot fully grow, rest, regulate, or develop in these conditions. A hotel room, no matter how clean or safe, can never replace a home.

"I don’t want luxury. I don’t want special treatment. I don’t want anything more than what every mother wants: a safe place where my child can sleep, play, develop and feel that the world is not collapsing underneath him. I want to work again. I want to study again. I want to rebuild my life. But without stable housing, none of that is possible.

"All I am asking for is a chance, a safe and stable home, where my son can finally be a child again."