Title: My own home!
We spoke to candidate Peter about his new home. He told us how happy he is with his ‘own home’, and much more. Read the blog below to find out more about Peter!
I-I-Iike
‘My city has changed; a lot has been demolished and the mentality has gone downhill. It used to be more social. The we-time in the 80s/90s is over, because we live in the I-time. Everything is about the own individual in terms of having stuff and experiences. We have been living in the I-period for over 20 years now. I hope there will be a new period where we become more social again and give various people a chance more often. For instance, the 50+ is no longer applicable. Several companies are short of people, but I can't find a job anywhere. Then you are not doing well as a society. I can still do so much at this age. Ideally, I would like to be in the kitchen again.’
Past
‘I spent years in the hospitality industry. Then I played outside as a window cleaner for 16 years. I started with a cargo bike, borrowed ladder on my shoulder and a bucket of water. The best combination for washing windows is washing-up liquid with spirit.’
House lost
‘The rut was in after 16 years of working as a window cleaner. I was first on a studio in the city centre. The landlord sat at home all day on benefits and told me to work more. I had to pay my rent, but I couldn't. Then I asked for my deposit back, but the landlord no longer had it so we settled it with the deposit. The next time I couldn't pay it again and then on my birthday I was out on the street.’
Springplank
‘The only place I had was with my mother on the sofa. I was an adult and depended on her. At some point, someone had told me about the direction team and Springplank. After I had a telephone intake, I met a counsellor. I told him I had nothing at all. The supervisor told me that they had a temporary home for me. I didn't know where to look for it and became emotional. I went from my mother's sofa to a brand new studio.’
Property
‘Now I have my own home, furniture, a goldfish and plants. My stuff is 2nd hand and I am slowly looking for it together. I am critical and also put in the laminate quietly. I used the subfloor as a notebook because I like humour. I am not religious, but church music touches me. My home is already starting to look homely; my own home!
‘This text is sacred to me; awareness that I have a home. Knowing that there are also people living on the streets who don't have a home. I want to dwell on that so that I appreciate it every day.’
New teeth
‘I looked like hell when I had no home. I was uptight, had long hair and a dinosaur face. What a huge difference when I look at the photos from back then. Now I have new teeth. I am immensely happy with that. I feel incredibly good lately. I have that glint in my eyes again like I used to have.’
