Group warns of impact of rental allowance cuts

A NEW campaign group in Clondalkin has claimed that rent thresholds introduced in the last budget will put more people at risk of becoming homeless.

The thresholds were introduced in December 2011 in an attempt to cut the amount paid by the Department of Social Protection in annual rent supplement to private landlords by

?¬22 million.

The rent supplement limit for a single person renting a one bedroom apartment in the South Dublin County Council area was cut from

?¬529 to

?¬475.

The limit for a couple with two children was reduced from

?¬1,050 to

?¬975. In addition, this year’s budget obliged claimants to pay

?¬30 a week from their own resources towards rent in private accommodation.

Cllr Gino Kenny, the spokesman for the new campaign group, said new rent limits were making it increasingly more difficult for people to stay in their current homes.

“In recent weeks social welfare recipients have received review letters telling them to supply information on accommodation,

? he claimed.

“If the tenant can’t negotiate a new rent agreement with the landlord the tenant has 13 weeks to find cheaper accommodation. This is having a terrible effect on people who have the threat of moving or even facing homelessness hanging over their heads.

?

However, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Protection rejected the assertion that the new limits would increase the risk of tenants facing homelessness.

“It should be stressed that these new limits will not cause or create homelessness for anyone in receipt of rent supplement,

? she said.

“Accommodation is available, including shared accommodation, for single persons within the prescribed limits. The department will continue to monitor rent levels throughout the country but at this stage there are no plans to revise the existing rent limits.

?