Dozens of families in DePaul accommodation to be evicted three weeks before Christmas

Residents include a one week old baby and a woman receiving cancer treatment.

DePaul have known that the closure could happen and originally said they would give residents three months notice.

One woman is receiving cancer treatment, another just had jaw surgery, a cardiac patient recently suffered an arrest, and is currently going through treatment.

The women pay rent and bills in the independent living property. Some are in recovery.

Some families have been housed, however many have not, including single women with medical issues who will likely end up in hostels.

Families were informed of the situation via letter, seen by JOE, which stated the building needed remedial work and no funding had been secured for it to take place.

"As shared previously, a major redevelopment of the Rendu site Is planned to deliver long-term housing solutions. The current Rendu building is nearing the end of its life and requires significant work to bring it up to an appropriate standard as laid out in health and safety regulations," the letter said.

"Earlier this year a fire assessment was carried out on the building as part of our funding agreement with Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE). This assessment highlighted significant levels of work required to bring the building to up to regulations in the short term, prior to the full redevelopment.

Depaul worked closely with DRHE to source funding to undertake the work required, however unfortunately funding has not been secured. Without this funding the required work cannot be completed and therefore, it is with deep regret that we announce that Rendu Apartments will close on 27th November 2026."

One resident who spoke to JOE said the children in the property are becoming increasingly afraid.

"My child is potty trained but she's been wetting herself, and she's got sick. They pick up on it. I've been keeping everything normal as normal as I can, but the atmosphere in there is toxic. Everybody's on edge."

The resident says nothing has been set up to help them find other accomodation.

"They're going to the councils now to see what emergency accommodation is out there, and I mean, there's women in the building that have life-threatening illnesses," she said.

"I'm in recovery and this has rocked me, but I have to stay strong for my child because I don't want her taken into care, and I don't want fall back into what I fought so hard to get out of.

"They could give us Christmas, and let us digest this and let our kids get used to the idea, so we can do it calmly, comfortably. It's rush, rush, rush. It's like they're trying to shock you and get you out.

"We're the most vulnerable of Irish society. We're women and children, and we're all working every day or going to school and it's safe. That's the main thing for us. It's safe, and that's what that's what frightened me for my child now. Going forward now, the safety of of people."

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the Minister for Housing to intervene. McDonald said the current treatment of vulnerable people in such a way "stinks".

Residents had previously reported issues in the building around heating and two fire doors have been locked.

Dublin City Council told JOE: "As the service cannot continue in its current use without significant capital works, current residents will be relocated to the most appropriate accommodation suitable to their needs. We know that the change of emergency accommodation is very disruptive to residents and we are committed to making the most appropriate alternatives available."