Government not doing enough to protect older renters, says O’Callaghan

Senior citizens should not have to worry about being evicted or forced to find new homes to rent, says Social Democrats TD and spokesperson for housing, Cian O’Callaghan.

“The report published today by Threshold and Alone found that more than a quarter of older renters expect to stay in rental accommodation for the rest of their lives due to a lack of alternative options,” he said.

“Of those surveyed, 42 per cent said they faced high levels of stress because of accommodation insecurity.”

Deputy O’Callaghan said some landlords had refused to accept HAP from tenants while more than half were in receipt in the assistance payment.

“This is an extremely vulnerable cohort of renters, who often face health or financial challenges in their senior years,” he said.

“It is unconscionable that people of this age should have to worry about being evicted or forced to find a new home in a distressed rental market.

“It is simply not good enough for Minister Darragh O’Brien to say that the findings of today’s report will help inform housing policy.

“Providing homes for older people should already have been a key goal in the Government’s Housing for All plan – not just an afterthought.

“The Government must ensure there is an adequate supply of social homes ringfenced for older people as part of future housing delivery. In addition, it must look at ways of strengthening protections for those who are reliant on private rental accommodation.”