An Independent TD has said that up to 47 households – many with young children – in Kilbeggan could be facing homelessness this summer, as a large number of apartments in the Riverview Complex are due to be sold.
Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan told Midlands Radio that it is “a very distressing situation” and that many of the families have young children and are “very upset”. She said there was a lot of uncertainty and panic and that people had been told they must leave the premises by July 12.
She said that families who had contacted her said they “didn’t know where to turn” and that they were acutely aware of a shortage of rental properties in the area.
The Riverview complex was developed by property company, the Remcoll Group, who say it comprises 76 residential and 1 commercial unit – and that “this development is currently fully let, which includes residential units on long-term lease with Westmeath County Council, residential units on long-term lease with an Approved Housing Body (AHB), Peter McVerry Trust.”
However, the Peter McVerry Trust has said that none of its tenants will be impacted by the possible sale – since their long-term leases won’t be affected by any change in ownership.
Gript has contacted the Remcoll Group to inquire as the reason for the proposed sale, but has not yet received a response.
Carol Nolan said she would be making every effort to ensure that a “mass eviction 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”.
Both Offaly and Westmeath County Council have confirmed a number of tenants on the Housing Assistance Payment scheme have received a notice of termination, the station said.
“Offaly County Council is aware that a Notice of Termination has been issued to a number of tenants at the Riverview Complex in Kilbeggan. A number of the tenancies in the complex are on Offaly County Council’s Social Housing Support List and are in receipt of Intercounty Housing Assistance Payments. The Council will be liaising with qualifying households to provide support over the coming months,” the local authority said.