Family feels forgotten about after over 10 years on housing waiting list

CAROL Hogan and her partner Alan have been renting the same property privately in Arklow for the past eight years while remaining on the Social Housing waiting list for over ten years.

The couple currently live in Knockmore in a three bedroom rented property they share with their four kids aged fourteen, seven, five and two.

Carol has actually been on the list for over 14 years, four by herself and ten as a couple with Alan.

‘We aren’t on the RAS Scheme because it would mean we lose our place on the housing waiting list. Alan works and neither of us collect social welfare. I stay at home minding the kids. If I worked it would cost us an absolute fortune in childcare fees, around €400 to €500 for each child. We just couldn’t afford that.

‘I feel like we have been forgotten about. The levels of frustration would drive you mad. I have to say Wicklow County Council have been a lot more helpful than Arklow Town Council ever were. We are receiving much more feedback. Wicklow County Council seem to be doing a proper job and going through the correct procedure.’

Carol also considers herself lucky that she has an understanding landlord who hasn’t placed the family unit under pressure by demanding rent increases, but the uncertainty over what the future holds remains.

‘We would be in big trouble if the rent was raised but at the moment we aren’t at risk of being made homeless and our landlord has been great and we are very grateful for that, but it’s still not our house. We can’t paint it or put our stamp on it like we could our own home. It is stressful on us. The uncertainty and lack of security is what gets to you the most. We know that we could just be given three months notice and we would have to leave.’

Carol also feels that she and her family have been left in limbo when it comes to securing a more permanent home, with