Local Sinn Féin Deputy Sorca Clarke has called on the Government to immediately reinstate the ban on no fault evictions’ to protect people in Westmeath at risk of homelessness.
The call was made as figures from the Department of Housing show a significant increase in official homelessness in March in Westmeath, before the ban on evictions was lifted on April 1.
"The March homeless figures are utterly shocking. The total number of people in Department of Housing funded emergency accommodation in Westmeath rose to 62. This includes 39 families in the Midlands including 71 children. The figures include an increase in both family and single person homelessness.
"March was the last month in which tenants were protected by the ban on no fault evictions. What these figures tell us is that levels of homelessness are going to start rising significantly in Westmeath from April.
"All of this demonstrated the need for Government to immediately reinstate the ban on no fault evictions.
"Government have not put in place the necessary emergency measures to deal with the expected rise in homelessness from April. I have repeatedly urged local government Deputies, Robert Troy, Peter Burke and Joe Flaherty to tell those with eviction notices falling due where they should go. However, still cannot answer this simple question.
"What level of homelessness do we need to see before Government acts to protect those at imminent risk of losing their homes in Westmeath?
"It has been clear for some time now that the housing crisis in Westmeath is totally out of control and the government is failing to act. People in Westmeath are left to pay the price for the government's incompetence, as they are trapped paying sky high rents, fearing eviction and losing hope of ever owning their own home.
"Sinn Féin in government would get to grips with the housing crisis and deliver genuinely affordable homes," Teacht Clarke stated.
