Aga Nowak sits in her rented accommodation surrounded by packed boxes. “I’m so sorry,” she said, bursting into tears. “It’s such a difficult time.”
Originally from Poland and now living in Dublin 18, the mother-of-two received notice from her landlord in November to vacate the property to make way for a sale.
After a six-month search, she and her husband are now among 20,000 people chasing fewer than 1,000 homes in Ireland.
“When our landlord gave us leave, I asked if we could stay until June, when the children finished school, but she didn’t give us time.
“She has to sell and she has the right to do so – it’s her house – but it’s been very stressful.
“I tried about 45 properties and only four responded to me,” Ms Nowak said.
“I started a job at An Post last May and was waiting for the six-month trial period to be able to get a mortgage, but with the price of real estate it was impossible for me to find a accommodation for five people, because my mother lives with us too.
“We have around €2,300 in rent per month. I would still like to save for a mortgage but when I look at the prices it scares me because there is absolutely no chance of renting and saving.
“It’s very difficult because the kids can see me packing and they say, ‘Mom, where are we going next week?’ There is only one week left and I have to tell them “I don’t know”.
“Yesterday when I received a message from another agency telling us that we didn’t have the house, I lost all hope. And today another call made me so angry.
“A landlord asked me how old my children were and what schools they went to. How is it relevant if I can pay?
“I don’t tell them my mum is living with us because I know they won’t rent us a two bed, and that’s the only one I can afford, because even that costs around €2,300-2,500 I can’t dream of renting a three bed.
“This morning, I was able to see my daughter packing boxes and she tells me that she is fine but that she is very calm.
“I know I’ll have a better chance of getting a council house if I go to emergency accommodation, but I don’t want this and it’s not worth it given the impact it has. will have on my children.
“I don’t want anything free, I want to pay my way but there is so little out there.”
