by Louise Doyle
MOVES to save 19 families in Letterkenny from eviction has intensified as a national organisation working to prevent homelessness steps in.
The Donegal News understands Threshold has been in touch with all of the families living in The Forest, Ballymacool, who were served with six-month eviction notices in October.
We further understand Threshold is seeking further advice from its team on a number of issues.
A pregnant woman, her husband and the couple’s daughter are among the families facing being made homeless – within days of giving birth.
families have until April 2024 to vacate their homes after the landlord informed the residents that the houses are to be put up for sale.
The developer told the families – some of whom have been living in the estate for 18 years – that the eviction notices were served ‘due to changes in the company’.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Cathal McGlynn, Chairman of Ballymacool Residents’ Association, said the group is keeping the pressure on the relevant authorities and organisations to prevent the families from being made homeless.”
“We have been in constant contact with Donegal County Council who are liasing with everyone to see who is eligible for housing assistance.
Each family has been contacted to be assessed. It’s a slow process as many families are involved.
“We have also been keeping the pressure on Donegal County Council in terms of examining the possibilities around the purchase of the houses in question.”
Mr McGlynn said conversations have also taken place with Threshold, which provides independent advice and advocacy to people experiencing housing problems.
More than 12,000 households contacted the not-for-profit organisation last year amid fears of homelessness – an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year.
“They have put together a special team of advisors and are dealing with each one of the families.
“They will speak with the RTB and liaise with the developer and landlord.”
The Rental Tenancies Board (RTB) say that for all Notices of Termination to be deemed valid, they must be copied to the RTB at the same time as it is served on the tenant.
Failure to do so means that the Notice of Termination is invalid.
Mr McGlynn said he believes this certain criteria was not met.
“Some residents got letters from the landlord but not from RTB. The letters have to be simultaneous. Some letters were not even signed,” he claimed.
Developer Phil Boyle of the London-based company Twin Estates Ltd recently sought planning permission from Donegal County Council to develop a further 52 houses in Ballymacool.
He wrote to the affected residents saying that the decision ‘was not one made lightly’.
In a letter to residents, he wrote:
“Unfortunately, due to a change in company circumstances, this was seen as the only necessary course of action. I can understand that this notice of termination has taken you by surprise and may be causing you some stress. The huge demand for housing coupled with the current ‘Mica’ issues in Donegal makes seeking new accommodation so much more challenging.”
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