Distraught daughter of homeless Navan woman appeals for help

The distraught daughter of a 58 year old Navan woman who is facing homelessness due to the rental crisis says she feels like she has "failed" her mother.

Inga Zvirgzdina (58) had been living with her daughter, Sanita and her two children for eight years until the landlord informed the family in 2019 that they were selling the property. Unable to find somewhere suitable Sanita had no choice than to move to a smaller house leaving her mother homeless.

Inga who has been forced to 'couch surf' on friend's sofas says her options are running out as the house she is staying at is due to be sold in the coming weeks.

Despite the part time Tesco worker and her daughter exhausting every avenue to find accommodation, their search has been unsuccessful to date. Repeated calls to Meath County Council for help have gone unanswered according to the pair.

Sanita who says her mother's physical and mental health has deteriorated due to the stress of the situation fears the loving grandmother will have no choice than to camp outside the council offices because at least then she will have "somewhere safe to sleep." She added:

"She's trying not to be a burden on us, she absolutely hates this situation, she was never in this position before. I as a daughter feel like I have failed her.

"For eight years she was living with me and looking after my children while I was working, we were living our life and everything was ok and in September 2019 we had to move out due to the landlord selling up.

"We were so lucky to find a three bedroom house for myself and the kids but it is two times smaller than we had so my mum didn't have anywhere.

"I feel so so embarrassed that I cannot provide for my mother.

"The council knows all of this. July was the last time we met face to face in the council building and since then there has been no response to our emails. I am so desperate to give her some hope.

" If they want her to be homeless, she will on the porch outside Meath County Council offices with a tent, arrested probably but at least she will have a bed and some breakfast.

"She has diabetes and she has fainting spells due to the sugars and all of this is taking its toll on her. She is struggling and told me if it wasn't for me and the kids she'd be in the Boyne."

In an online post, Inga expressed her distress about what's happening. She said:

"I am 58 years of age, I am trying to do anything I can to sort my life out, but all I ask is a little bit of support or guidance. I do understand the housing crisis in the country. I am not asking to give me anything, all I am begging is please at least sort emergency accommodation for me, so I can be warm and in peace and not to be burden on people around me.

"I am on the HAP, but it is impossible to find anything, as the minute I mention it, I am brushed off. I am on Disability Allowance and I have been working part time cleaning Tesco in Navan so I am trying my very best to be part of community, but I am struggling. My work starts at 4am and I had two potential landlords refusing me even to rent a room in shared house, only for this reason too. No matter where I turn, I have been knocked back down.

Local councillor Alan Lawes has blasted Meath County Council for their lack of action saying:

"Sanita and Inga have written repeatedly to Meath County Council since July and haven't even got a reply and that's just not good enough.

"Sanita and her family are good people and a big part of the community in Johnstown. They are always the first to help.

"I think there are no beds left in the system and we need an honest Meath County Council to come out and say that. We need initiatives like we saw in Gormonston for the people of Ukraine.

"There are no more beds for homeless people in the country and an absolute lack of emergency action by this government to provide a new initiative."

Meath County Council has been contacted