After his divorce, Yariv lost what seemed obvious: a home. Or his peace and quiet and a place where he could receive his daughter and friends. Through our Onder de Pannen project, he found temporary shelter with one of the helping hospice landlords. Now that he has a home of his own again, he is doing the same back for someone in housing need. "I know how it feels to have no permanent place to live."
"I no longer had a home of my own," he looks back on his divorce. "First I lived with a friend in Aalsmeer. That was fine, but also temporary. You always know: this is not mine." What followed was a long period of searching. His waiting time for a social rental house in Amsterdam: about seven years. "That is very difficult when you need a place immediately."
Through the municipality, Yariv came in contact with Onder de Pannen. He was able to visit a couple in Amstelveen who made a room available. "They wanted to help people and were very nice. We sometimes cooked together, ate together. I had my own room, my own television. It was well arranged." Still, something kept gnawing. "It wasn't my own home," he says honestly. "I couldn't just let my daughter come over. Receiving friends didn't feel natural either. You live by other people's rules anyway." His daughter is now an adult, but it remained important to Yariv that she would always be welcome. "I missed that feeling."
Plants give life
For six months, Yariv lived through Onder de Pannen. "During that time, I received intensive guidance from De Regenboog Groep. With everything: papers, registrations, small things that become very big when you are stressed. The staff at De Regenboog were easy to reach. With the municipality that is often difficult. Here I had real contact. That makes such a difference." And then came the moment he had long hoped for: a home of his own. "A year ago I got this house," he says, looking around proudly. The living room is full of plants. Greenery everywhere. That's no accident. Yariv has always worked at the flower auction. Now he is retired, but the love for plants has remained. "Plants give life."
What a place of his own means to him? He doesn't have to think long. "Freedom. You can do whatever you want. Sit on the couch. Enjoy the silence. Inviting friends over. Receive my daughter. This is mine. I can stay here. That's the best part."
"I have two bedrooms. So why shouldn't I help someone?"
And now Yariv is renting out a room herself through Onder de Pannen. "I have two bedrooms. So why shouldn't I help someone out? I know how it feels to not have a permanent place to live." A woman has been living with him since September. "At first it took some getting used to," he admits, "for her and for me." Occasionally they eat dinner together, though they both work a lot. Yariv as a volunteer. "You don't have to do everything together. The important thing is that you respect each other."
The idea of helping someone came from the good contact with De Regenboog Groep. "They helped me when I was struggling. Then you want to give something back." When Yariv looks back on the past few years, he calls them tough. "Always searching. No certainty. Stress, also about my health." Yet something else prevails now: gratitude. "I never expected this, but sometimes life goes like this." He falls silent for a moment. Looks around him. At his plants. At the painting above the TV. From the display case with framed photos, his daughter smiles at him in all ages. "This is my home," he says softly.
Under the Pans
Any spare room? Then temporarily rent it through Onder de Pannen to someone who lost their home due to circumstances. Due to the tight housing market, it is very difficult to find new housing. Anyone with a spare room can participate, whether you have a house to buy or rent. You will earn something with it and will not be reduced on your possible benefit, AOW or allowances. Go to www.onderdepannen.nl for more information.
Text: Nicolline van der Spek | Photo: Mila van Egmond | Final Editing: Jola Gosen