A man diagnosed with cancer spends weekends sleeping in his car because he and his family cannot find a place to live. 

Felip was diagnosed with two brain tumours in 2017 and has had multiple surgeries since then. 

His daughter has also been diagnosed with cancer and the family says homelessness has only added to the stress of the ordeal. 

Felip’s health has improved recently but he is unable to work and was originally nervous about speaking out in case there is an online backlash. 

Despite this, he decided to speak to Lunchtime Live in the hope that someone out there might hear his family’s story and be able to help them. 

“[The landlord] told me that he’s selling the house and he’s trying to be supportive and I can’t blame him,” he said. 

The family moved into their former home in Athlone in 2015 and has been on the housing waiting list since 2016. 

Since their eviction, Felip, his wife and daughter have all been staying with friends on a part-time basis. 

“I can’t stay here all the time here because my friend’s son comes here from college on the weekends and I can’t stay here because I’m staying in his room.

“It’s the same situation as for my wife; she’s staying with the lads and one of those lads has kids who visit him over the weekend. 

“So, that’s why we spend some nights in the car.” 

Felip described the situation as “emotional and very painful” and said the family’s poor health adds to the “constant pressure and stress” of the situation.  

In January, there were 11,754 homeless people in Ireland - the highest figure on record - and there are concerns that the number could surge following the end of the eviction ban in April.

Main image: A man asleep in his car.