Government must protect rent supplement recipients – Crowe

Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has called on the government to protect families receiving a rent supplement, or it will directly lead to more people losing a roof over their heads.

Crowe’s comments follow the release of a report from Focus Ireland on the rent supplement scheme.

Deputy Crowe said:

“People are increasingly struggling under the Government’s austerity policies and many are already at risk of losing their home. In the past three years rent supplements have been cut by an average of 28%. Any further cuts in the rent supplement scheme will literally force people out of their accommodation.

“The current Government’s policies of cut-throat austerity have already pushed many families and households to the brink of homelessness. If the upcoming Budget fails to protect people struggling on low incomes or dependent on welfare, there will be a massive increase in the number of households that are at risk of losing their accommodation. This will apply to people renting or paying mortgages.

“From my work in my own constituency I know first-hand how much people are struggling at the moment, and how fearful people are that any cuts in rent supplements in the upcoming Budget will force them into homelessness or hostel accommodation. Homeless groups are confirming this. Focus Ireland has said that there is continued rising demand for support this year and its prevention services recorded an 18% rise over a 12 month period from 2011 to 2012.

“The government has cut and cut again from the most vulnerable and this cannot continue.

“I am calling on the Government to assure people that rent supplement will not be cut in the upcoming Budget, to reverse previous cuts to the scheme, and to put in place measures which make it easier for people to source accommodation that will accept rent supplement at a reasonable rate.

“This should include direct dealings by the State with landlords to secure value for money, and equally important, good quality accommodation for tenants.”