Kerry County Council is exploring possible solutions in a bid to help families facing mass eviction in Killarney.
34 people, including 15 children living in in Loreto Chapel Estate, in Killarney are facing homelessness as their landlord has begun a mass eviction process.
Their landlord, the Cypriot property company, Xerico Ltd, owns 14 houses in the estate and has issued eviction notices to them all; this process is entirely legal.
Independent councillor Maura Healy-Rae tabled an emergency motion at the recent monthly meeting of Kerry County Council.
She’s asking the council to intervene by way of the tenant in situ scheme or approved housing body arrangement given the crisis facing the residents in the Loreto Chapel Estate.
Cllr Healy-Rae stated there are no alternative housing options available to these residents.
The tenant in situ scheme allows a person to continue to rent their home, if your landlord is selling the rental property; the local authority or the Housing Agency buys the property from the landlord and then continues to rent the property to the person.
Director of Housing with Kerry County Council Niamh O’Sullivan confirmed that the council is looking at the tenant in situ scheme and the cost rental tenant in situ scheme in this case.
She stated she’s aware that the estate is a private development but stated the council is engaging with the company managing the property on behalf of the owners.
Ms O’Sullivan stated the council’s housing social support team is always available to provide advice, support and assistance to these residents.
She added that the tenant in situ scheme states that all other housing solutions must be exhausted before it can be considered and it depends on the landlord being willing to sell to Kerry County Council; it also states that tenants must be in receipt of social housing supports but she said that’s not the case for all involved in the Loreto estate.
The council is also engaging with the Department of Housing and Approved Housing Bodies in regards to the Killarney case, and is exploring if the cost rental tenant in situ scheme could apply.
