More than 30 Kilbeggan households receive eviction notices

More than 30 households in a Kilbeggan estate have received eviction notices this week.

The notices were issued on Tuesday in respect of the 76-unit Riverside apartment complex and tenants have until July to find alternative accommodation.

This has sparked fears among the remaining households after the development’s owner indicated their intention to sell all homes in the complex.

It is understood that those who have received notices so far are Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenants.

The development includes some 20 residential units on long-term leases with Westmeath County Council through an approved housing body.

The Peter McVerry Trust also has a number of homes leased in the complex.

Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke said the timing is terrible for those living in Riverside. “There’s never a good time to receive a notice to quit, but when you look at the homelessness figures we have at the moment, this is just dreadful,” she said.

“This is going to have a huge impact, not just on Kilbeggan, but on the entire region – where are these households going to go?

“There are no properties available to rent in Kilbeggan at the moment and there are very few around Westmeath and Offaly. Where are these families going to go?”

Deputy Clarke is calling for Westmeath County Council to engage with the Department of Housing to find a solution before high numbers of people are made homeless.

“The HAP tenants have received their notices but the long-term leases are yet to come,” said Deputy Clarke.

“The council need to be clear to their tenants in Riverside under long-term leases what the plan is for them.

“These tenants are being evicted through no fault of their own, just because the landlord is deciding to exit the market.”

Offaly County Council also has HAP tenants located at Riverside, according to independent TD, Carol Nolan, who said in a statement today: “I will be making every effort to ensure that such an eventuality [of 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.”

Westmeath County Council has been contacted for comment.