A family facing homelessness have said the system “feels rigged” against them. 

Evan Kavanagh, his wife and three daughters moved into their current Clondalkin home seven years ago. 

On Lunchtime Live, Mr Kavanagh described his children as having been “raised in the house” and said it has become a “family home of sorts”. 

Now, just as the school term has started, they are faced with having to leave it on 6th September forever. 

It is a particular challenge as one daughter has autism. 

“Since September last year now, she’s in a different school just across the way from us,” Mr Kavanagh explained. 

“So, it’s not too far and she’s in the SNA unit there; she’s come a long way and they’re supposed to be starting back again this week. 

“But we don’t know what’s going on; we don’t know if we have to try and find another school which has an SNA unit that will accept her.

“It’s kind of all up in the air at the moment.”

Evan Kavanagh and his family. Image: Supplied.

The family were informed in March by their landlord that he was selling the three bedroom home. 

“He told us he was selling the property because he wasn’t making any money off it,” Mr Kavanagh said. 

“Make no mistake, I don’t have any ill will towards the landlords; if he says he’s not making any money, I completely understand his reason for it. 

“Our rent was less than €2,000 and looking at other places, they’re ranging between €2,500 to €3,000. 

“So, I can understand if he’s not making any money off it.” 

Tenant In Situ Scheme

However, the landlord told them he was happy to sell it to the council, something that gave them a “little bit of hope”.

“That was his plan, that’s what he wanted,” Mr Kavanagh said. 

The family applied to South Dublin County Council for the property to be purchased through the Tenant In Situ Scheme. 

Their documents were lodged in April but no one was able to tell them anything for weeks. 

In July, they were told the Council was not in a position to buy any properties. 

Instead, they were asked if the landlord could wait to sell his property until 2026, as there were other properties the council hoped to purchase first. 

“We’re entitled to the homeless HAP now but that only takes effect with us 12 weeks prior to the eviction,” Mr Kavanagh said. 

“So, mid-July I’ve been looking at properties all around Clondalkin because I want to try and stay in Clondalkin.

“But I’ve had to spread my search area to Ballyfermot, Crumlin and Lucan.” 

Despite this, Mr Kavanagh said that “nobody is getting back to me” and it has been a “stressful time” foe the whole family. 

“The closer it gets, the more stressful it’s becoming,” he said. 

“It’s harming my wife; it’s upsetting her. 

“My eldest daughter has friends that she’s made up there, it’s upsetting her as well.” 

While Mr Kavanagh said that he likes a challenge, he is starting to feel that this one might be beyond him. 

“I feel that I become a better person, a stronger person for every challenge that I overcome,” he said.  

“But this one in particular, just feels rigged.”

Main image: Evan Kavanagh and his family. Image: Supplied.