Shortage of apartments to rent in Dublin as eviction ban lift looms closer

• Published date: 24 March 2023
• Publication title: DublinLive (Ireland)

Threshold has released data to Dublin Live which revealed 1,502 residents in Dublin alone have contacted them regarding their termination of tenancy between November, 2022 and March, 2023. The highest number of termination cases was at the start of the year while the lowest number was in December. The charity organisation has also received 410 general termination queries in that period

The eviction ban will come to an end on March 31, leaving thousands of families looking for new homes. Horror stories about tenants terrified of becoming homeless for the first time in their lives have started emerging, with an interactive map detailing eviction stories around the country.

Campaigning organisation Uplift launched the map earlier this week and there are already dozens of personal stories about people in Ireland confronted with the possibility of becoming homeless. The majority of stories are focused in the Dublin area. People describe their "housing-related anxiety", having "sleepless nights" and "no hope", feeling ill with worry about taking care of sick elderly parents and children while homeless.

Karen from Dublin said: "[My partner and I are] being evicted after eight years with our two young kids. Both of us work [full-time] but rents are so high and properties so few, all you can rely on is luck. Worry and anxiety [are] making us ill and all you feel is shame and despair."

Steven said: "As a 36-year-old male I face eviction in three months after five years at the same address. My mental health, relationship and future are all in jeopardy. There is nowhere to go. Government are not even applying a short term band aid over the gaping wound, they are pouring salt in it and that will be a stain on theirs and previous governments legacies forever. Shame on them."

Radu said: "I've been having a housing-related anxiety ever since I moved to Ireland eight years ago. Ran away from an abusive family in Romania. Tried starting a new life here, but my anxiety had hindered any pursuit to better myself. I've been on steady full time work ever since I moved here, but it's minimum wage so no hope."

Another Karen said: "I've just received a Notice of Termination, ending my tenancy after just nearly six years. I am my elderly father's full-time carer and live a few doors away from him to ensure I can provide for his needs, taking care of his health, etc, ensuring he can continue to live at home. I fear for his future once I have to move as the likelihood of me finding...