Upfront with Katie Hannon viewers react to homeless mother's heartbreaking story

Viewers have reacted with heartache and disgust at the current government after hearing audience member Chloe's story of becoming homeless on Upfront with Katie Hannon.

Chloe, who has a four year old son with complex medical needs, explained that a combination of issues with her son's creche and having to leave her job, meant that she was no longer able to afford rent forcing her to declare herself homeless.

Speaking to Katie Hannon, Chloe explained: "I was private renting a property for €2,700 a month and issues came across with my boy's creche, I left my job and couldn't sustain the rent, and I had to declare myself homeless."

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Chloe went on to speak about facing Christmas while living in a homeless hub, she said: "Thinking about Christmas and where am I going to put a Christmas tree up and celebrate with him? So far away from family as well especially on Christmas when there's no public transport."

Viewers expressed their heartache and disgust as Chloe shared her story in front of a panel of General Election candidates as her story became the centre of a heated exchange between Sinn Féin's Eoin Ó Broin and Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe.

Katie Hannon clearly upset listening to Chloe’s story living in emergency housing. I believe we all can resonate with this unthinkable situation that Chloe’s in.
We shouldn’t have to count our blessings to not be homeless. It’s a basic need that we all should have. #RTEUpfront

— Meggan O Reilly (@iammeggan) November 11, 2024

The pair began to quarrel after Ó Broin said that Chloe would have been housed but due to policies from the Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien, Fianna Fail and Paschal Donohoe, who he said: "refused to fund the homes that you needed to prevent you being in emergency accommodation."

Donohoe hit back at the Sinn Féin candidate as he said: "This is a standard Sinn Féin approach, because they want you to make this into a debate of ‘they care and I don’t'," He also accused Ó Broin of reducing the issue "into an argument about compassion."

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One viewer tweeted: "Donohue forgot her name within 2 mins….imagine how they’ll all forget about her as soon as they leave the studio. Broke my heart her story. Poor sick child too. One bike shelter less and she would have been homed."

Another social media user said: "Everyone on that panel, and everyone associated with this programme, should be out there this morning getting accommodation near this lady's relatives.

"Don't just let her be a snapshot, a segment or an afterthought. She was very brave to go on TV"