Council says families will not be left homeless during Limerick hotel closure
LIMERICK City and County Council has moved to clarify the contents of a letter sent by its Homeless Action Team which asked people living in emergency hotel accommodation to leave for several days over Christmas.
This week, a number of families availing of emergency accommodation at the Travelodge, Castletroy received a letter from the council asking them to vacate the premises for four days over Christmas.
The letter stated that the hotel will be closed from December 22 to December 26 and warns that it is important residents "make arrangements" with friends and family for this period.
One member of the public, who posted a photograph of the letter on social media, said: "Takes a lot to shock me… Limerick Council Housing Support gave this letter to homeless families living in Limerick’s Travelodges. A notice to not only vacate their emergency accommodation over Christmas but to sort themselves out. In an accommodation crisis."
Following a query from Limerick Live, a council spokesperson offered a clarification, stating that the local authority are responsible for placing families who require emergency accommodation in hotels like the Travelodge.
The council confirmed that all the families were aware of this and that "anyone who is not in a position to stay with friends or family will be offered alternative accommodation for the four days."
The spokesperson clarified that the hotel, as in previous years, is closed for four days over the Christmas period, from December 22 and reopening on December 26, which is why the letter was sent to the families staying at the hotel.
"The Homeless Action Team recently communicated that information to these families. Families have been offered alternative accommodation or if they choose, they can stay with loved ones for four nights over Christmas," they said.