Homelessness fears as 5,000 evictions loom
NEARLY 5,000 eviction notices will come into effect in the coming months as families throughout the country face homelessness.
The stark figures from the Residential Tenancies Board come as dozens of tenants from an apartment complex in Co. Westmeath have learned that their homes are being sold this summer.
Less than a year since the eviction ban ended, the Irish Daily Mail can reveal that 4,486 tenancies are due to come to an end in the next three months.
The latest data received by the RTB covers up to September 2023. However, the total figure is expected to be significantly higher when the October to December period of last year are included.
In a statement to the Mail, the RTB said that based on analysis of Notices of Termination (NoTs) received in quarters one, two and three of 2023, 4,486 tenancies are due to come to an end in 2024.
Earlier in the new year, the Government confirmed that more than 13,500 people were living in emergency accommodation in November, which included 4,105 children, an all-time record high.
However, the 4,486 notices to quit cannot be interpreted as relating to one tenant each.
‘For example, one NoT could be received which relates to multiple tenants in one tenancy or separate NoTs could be received for each tenant in a tenancy,’ the RTB cautioned.
Meanwhile, over 30 households in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath, have received eviction notices in the second week of this year.
The Riverside apartment tenants have until July to find alternative accommodation, as the owner of the complex has indicated his intention to sell it.
It’s reported those who have received termination notices so far are Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenants from Offaly and Westmeath.
Offaly TD Carol Nolan said she is ‘deeply alarmed at the prospect and will be making every effort to ensure that such an eventuality is avoided given the enormous difficulties these families will face in accessing even the bare minimum of emergency accommodation, not to mention appropriate and affordable accommodation in the current climate’.
Westmeath County Council told the Mail that it is ‘aware that
Notice of Termination has been issued to a number of tenants at the Riverview Complex in Kilbeggan’.
‘A number of the tenants in the complex are in receipt of Housing Assistance Payment and Intercounty Housing Assistance Payment. Westmeath County Council will be liaising with qualifying households to provide support to find alternative accommodation, over the coming months.’
Mike Allen, Focus Ireland’s Director of Advocacy, told the Mail that the charity has seen ‘a huge increase’ in the number of people receiving termination notices.
‘Every one of these who received termination notices are at risk of becoming homeless,’ he said. ‘There should be more done to prevent these evictions from happening and additional help for people desperately trying to source alternative accommodation.’
Mr Allen said the eviction ban between November 2022 and the end of March 2023 was never a solution to the housing problem.
‘The Government managed to completely alienate landlords while providing no security for tenants – it was the worst of both worlds. This flip-flop tactic was extremely damaging,’ he said.
Social Democrats housing spokesman Cian O’Callaghan said the past year has seen the highest number of homeless on record.
‘The fact that there are so many more people facing eviction this year is going to make this situation even worse,’ he said.
‘Deeply alarmed at the prospect’