Building Community and Finding Support with NRAG

At Clúid Housing, we believe in the power of connection and collaboration. The National Resident Advisory Group (NRAG) was formed to enhance resident consultation opportunities and increase the voice of the resident in the delivery of Clúid Housing services. We chatted with Patrick Kavanagh, Clúid Housing Resident and NRAG member, about his experiences of NRAG. 

 “Years ago, I knew a few “old men of the road.” Their lifestyles seemed quite romantic at the time. Back then, most of us believed that homelessness was a choice—one that we would never willingly make. I never imagined that my wife, Tina, and I would be living in temporary accommodation without proper means to cook decent meals or care for ourselves adequately.  

 When we received the letter from the housing officer, we were afraid to hope. It’s hard to explain how homelessness can erode your self-esteem and optimism. It took three months to fully grasp that the beautiful apartment in Saggart was ours. The lady from Clúid was lovely and made us feel very welcome. She read the booklet with us, but we were too excited to absorb all the information.  

 When we finally sorted out an internet connection, I accessed the Clúid website and found it easy to navigate. I could pay our rent, book repairs, and use the live chat feature, which I relied on several times for information and support. We joined the National Residents Advisory Group (NRAG) and quickly realised that Clúid is dedicated to helping tenants and providing excellent service.  

 As volunteers with NRAG and CRAG, we met via Zoom and discussed ways to improve communication between tenants and Clúid Housing. Some of the ideas we explored included:  

•  A more streamlined and responsive complaints procedure for tenants – to make it easier and quicker for tenants to address any concerns they may have;  
•  An online portal as a convenient platform for tenants to access information, submit requests, and communicate with Clúid staff;  
•  Community events for tenants to connect with Clúid staff in a more informal and engaging setting.  

 We also had several enjoyable events during the year where we met the other members. I wholeheartedly encourage you to join NRAG, CRAG, or one of the residents’ groups—it’s a wonderful opportunity to build a supportive community and enhance your experience as a tenant!” Find out more at cluid.ie/my-voice/