by Louise Doyle
A CAMPAIGN to stop 19 families being evicted from their homes in Letterkenny has made significant progress.
Families of the Forest Ballymacool were dealt a devastating blow in October when they served eviction notices. The families were informed their homes were being put up for sale by their landlord, a move that would leave them homeless.
The tenants, including a couple expecting a baby, were given six months to vacate their homes.
The move sparked an outpouring of anger and shock within the local community.
Chairman of Ballymacool Residents’ Association, Cathal McGlynn said the situation is “a lot more positive” than it was just a number of mere months ago.
He said the Tenant-In Situ scheme and the Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) could offer an intervention for 14 of the families.
“Eight of the families have got on to the council housing list and are available for the Tenant-In-Situ scheme. If they meet the criteria they will go onto the list.
“The council is looking to purchase eight properties. They are organising for a structural engineer to see that the houses are safe.
“Six families qualify for the Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) Scheme through the Housing Agency. The scheme means that if the Housing Agency buys the rented home from the landlord, the Housing Agency becomes the tenant’s landlord.”
Mr McGlynn said the situation is more positive than it was a number of months ago.
“Some families were given eviction dates for January but they have not as yet been enforced, and if they were it would be strongly resisted.
Others were given until the end of April. Hopefully things will be moved on before then.
“Things are a lot more positive today than they were in October.”
Mr McGlynn said one family has since left the housing estate, while three other families are in the process of trying to secure mortgages in order to buy their homes.
“We will be appealing with the developer to meet them half way on this and give them a reasonable offer, considering the rent these families have paid, and also taking into consideration maintenance and repair works that will need to be carried out.”
He praised Donegal County Council for addressing the issue so quickly.
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