'If I stay in this tent, I will die'
Man's plight highlights gaps in Westmeath homeless services, say campaigners
By Rebekah O'Reilly
For more than two weeks, a man granted legal refugee status in Ireland has been forced to sleep rough in Athlone after delays in housing payments resulted in him ending up homeless.
Saker Hazam, who arrived in Ireland from Iraq over four years ago under the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system, was granted full refugee status in 2022 as he was unable to return home due to fear of persecution.
But despite his legal entitlement to housing support, his efforts to secure stable accommodation have been thwarted. In April of this year, Saker was approved for Advanced Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) support. He found a room in an owner-occupied property, but the process quickly unravelled.
Saker's HAP payment support for his room in the owner-occupied property had to be approved by the council.
"The scheme is not fit for purpose," he said. "I found a place and moved into it on April 22. I could not afford the rent or the deposit.
"I emailed Westmeath County Council to ask them to approve the property for HAP, but I only received an automatic reply saying that it could take up to 12 weeks to get a response. No landlord will wait 12 weeks for this."
As a result, Saker fell into arrears and was eventually evicted. Now, with nowhere to go, he is sleeping on the streets while his HAP payment remains in limbo.
"It was an owner-occupied house, I was considered a licensee, and therefore did not have tenant rights," Saker explained.
"When I went to the council, they told me to go back to IPAS, but I cannot, I am a refugee. I have nowhere to go. I was on the street, and I am sick and have medication I need to take every day, but they didn’t sympathise with me.
"They told me to go to the IPAS housing centre. I just want a safe place to sleep. I have nowhere to go. If I stay in this tent, I will die."
Those working to help the homeless say that Saker’s experience highlights issues with the HAP system, which is designed to help people like him secure long-term accommodation.
"The (HAP) scheme offers one month's rent and a deposit in advance," one volunteer assisting Saker said.
"But the reality is that it takes weeks, sometimes months, for these applications to be processed, leaving people like Saker with no options. Even when the property is finally approved, landlords can't be expected to wait. The system is clearly broken."
In addition to the long processing times, Saker’s search for a home has been hindered by the severe shortage of rental properties in the region.
"Saker has been applying for rooms for months with no luck," the volunteer added. "Landlords are also refusing to accept HAP payments, which, while technically illegal, remains a widespread issue. It’s a problem that affects everyone in Westmeath, not just refugees."
The issue of ‘licensees’, individuals who rent rooms in houses occupied by the homeowner, also plays a critical role in Saker’s situation.
According to the charity Threshold, people in these arrangements have very limited protections, which leaves them vulnerable to eviction without recourse.
Threshold recently launched a report highlighting the plight of these "invisible renters," who often face exploitation and instability, particularly in a tight housing market.
Saker’s case has now been referred to the Mercy Law Resource Centre, an organisation that provides free legal advice and representation to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
This issue is not isolated to refugees. Many Irish citizens in Westmeath are facing the same challenges. The severe shortage of rental properties and the lack of emergency accommodation options have created a crisis that is impacting both locals and those seeking refuge in Ireland.
"This situation reflects the lack of homelessness support for everyone in Westmeath, not just refugees," a volunteer working with Saker said. "The system is failing people across the board. It’s not just about refugee rights; it’s about the rights of all vulnerable people who are at risk of homelessness."
A spokesperson from the Midlands Simon Community, which provides housing support to vulnerable adults across multiple counties, said: "We provide housing with support services to vulnerable adults across all four counties, along with an out-of-hours outreach service seven days per week.
"County councils are responsible for providing emergency accommodation or B&B vouchers to those who are rough sleeping, homeless, or at risk of homelessness. Our role is to provide advice, support, links to other services, and advocacy on behalf of each person."
When contacted by the Westmeath Independent in relation to Saker's case, Westmeath County Council responded: "I wish to advise you that The Housing Department cannot comment on individual cases so we will not be in a position to comment in this instance.
"Westmeath County Council Homeless Services continue to work with families and individuals to prevent homelessness in the first instance and to provide the necessary supports and services when emergency provision is required.
"All supports and services are detailed in the Midlands Regional Homeless Action Plan 2025-2029."
NOTE: Saker's first language is Arabic, and a translator assisted during the interview process for this article.