A single mother-of-five living in the Armagh area has made an emotional plea for a new home after being issued with notice that her landlord is terminating her lease.
The young mum – who wished to remain anonymous – said she was issued with the notice to vacate the place she has called home for almost six years last Saturday (March 1) when her landlord called her to say, “The time has come. I need the house back.”
Speaking to Armagh I, she said: “At that point, I was too shocked to even ask why. All I could think was what do I do?”
“He normally does a contract year-to-year, but last September I noticed he hadn’t given it to me, though I thought nothing of it.”
The landlord has provided the concerned mother with four months’ notice, making her final day of occupancy June 30.
But she says that with five children – two of whom are currently undergoing assessment for various medical concerns – that notice just isn’t enough.
She said she has been constantly searching online for properties and has even viewed a few, but none have been suitable.
Ideally, with three boys – one in adolescence – and two girls all under the age of 16, she would need a four-bedroom property to give the family adequate room that would also be sustainable long term.
Her eldest child also has a small dog, which has taken the role of an emotional support dog. She is wary of breaking this bond and causing further undue stress to her children and would therefore also seek a property with a small and enclosed garden, if possible.
The only other criterion that she would prefer not to relinquish is that their home is within 10 miles of Armagh City, as her children had changed schools this time last year and, for their welfare, she’s adamant they cannot be moved again.
As a single mother-of-five, she is currently unemployed, and argues that the majority of private landlords prefer to house working individuals, leaving her and her family immediately at the bottom of the application pile.
Aware of her situation and the potential to be faced with homelessness come June, she is currently exploring all possible avenues for housing.
“I have an appointment next Thursday with the Housing Executive. It’s an assessment to see if we qualify, but at this stage, I’m not sure.”
She has also reached out to several local councillors and MLAs, but said none have replied.
In preparation, and to avoid any delays or setbacks that would see them forced into homelessness, the woman has already begun packing boxes.
The mother says she has done everything she can to shield her children from the reality of the situation. Nonetheless, they have picked up on overheard conversation, seen boxes being packed up, and now know something is wrong.
In the last week, the woman said her children have constantly asked her if they are being made homeless. She reassures them that they aren’t, but adds: “I say that we aren’t, but I just don’t know if we are.”
She explained that her eldest child – who suffers from extreme anxiety – has even taken an overdose of medication in the last week, resulting in a hospital visit.
Emotionally, they are all struggling.
“I don’t honestly know how I’m doing it or how I’m going to move house,” she said.
If you can offer support to this family, get in touch with us at Armagh I and we can pass along your details.
