They may have been an eyesore on Galway city's landscape, hated by most of the tenants who lived in them, but despite their shortcomings the Rahoon flats provided a temporary home to many people, until they were demolished last year by Galway Corporation.
Primary school student John Crawford lived with his family in one of the flats before moving to Corrach Bui, a new housing development at Rahoon built by the corporation to replace the flats.
"It was very small but it was my home for nine years. It was better than nothing," John recalls of the flat. John's feelings about Rahoon, which he has recorded in a two-page essay, recently won him first prize in a competition organised by the Galway Simon Community.
The competition was to mark the opening of two new houses by Galway Simon Community in the Corrach Bui estate. These houses are part of a Simon project entitled Move-On housing, geared at encouraging homeless people to break the cycle of homelessness.
Youngsters could submit drawings, poems, paintings, essays or other projects on the subject: "Home, Sweet Home". John Crawford's winning essay won him a £75 Pokemon voucher. Runners-up, Cuan Conchubhair and Stephanie Barrett, also received vouchers.
The Simon houses at Corrach Bui have been open for two months and currently accommodate five residents who have either come from referral agencies such as the Western Health Board or Galway Corporation, or directly from the Simon hostel, explains Padraic Kenna of Galway Simon. For these people, moving here is a progression.
"These are people who can almost support themselves but who need a bit of temporary help. For instance, one guy trained in computers nine years ago but hasn't used one since. One resident is working and others hope to get registered on courses. They have been in the hostel but they don't need to be," he says.
The residents share the houses, which are managed by a Simon worker. At present, those living there are men, but this accommodation is available to both men and women.
For people who become more independent and want to move on, ongoing support will be provided by Simon. "We don't force people to do so, but we do encourage them," says Padraic. The answer to homelessness is not to build more hostels but to teach people skills.