A great grandfather has received an eviction notice from his private rented home where he’s lived for over 15 years right before Christmas and the only thing that his local Council could offer him was a hostel in the city centre.
The great grandfather (67) who was too proud and embarrassed of his situation to be named suffers with several severe lifelong illnesses brought on by any kind of stress, found himself facing homelessness when his landlord died and the property was left to relatives who decided to sell up.
After many meetings between both parties solicitors he’s been given to December 15th to pack years of memories and belongings and hand back the keys of the property.
The man who is adamant that he’s been down to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council several times a week since receiving an eviction notice telling them the urgency of his situation has been basically brushed aside and told they’ll accept him onto this new Hap scheme they are offering, but only if he finds somewhere to rent himself under the 660euro cap.
Which as anyone looking to rent or currently renting knows will get you nothing!
The homeless rate has doubled since last year and based on the official Department of Environment figures recorded in September 2016 a whopping 6,709 people are homeless in Ireland. 2,426 of these are children.
The great grandfather is currently packing his belongings with the help of his family members and moving into one of their spare box rooms while his beloved dog stays at another family member’s home.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown claims that they are doing everything in their power to help the man, but he will just have to wait his turn like everybody else.
With the estimated waiting time to be housed in social housing over 20 years at present the man would be in his early 90s before the council would even consider housing him.
“I don’t care about the house it’s only bricks and water, it’s my ole Buster I’m worried about. He’s staying with my daughter until I find us somewhere to live” He says about his dog in hopeful spirits that he will find something soon.
There are plenty of people in this current situation between the banks reprocessing people’s homes to landlords upping rents and forcing people into homelessness.
While the government pass bills to pay themselves 5,000euro extra a year will it be one of your family members to die on the steps of the Dail this Christmas?
If you are facing homelessness or need any advice or information, know that you are not alone and there are people who can help.
Peter McVerry Trust – https://www.pmvtrust.ie/news-media/facts-and-figures/
Treshold – http://www.threshold.ie/
Simon Community – http://www.simon.ie/sci/Home?gclid=CNKmv_-OwNACFcqT7QodOpUORQ
Focus Ireland – https://www.focusireland.ie/
Merchants Quay – https://www.mqi.ie/?gclid=CMje7qiPwNACFUq17Qod2Y4BqA
SVP – https://www.svp.ie/Home.aspx