Housing charity is urging cap on rent increases

The national housing charity, Threshold, is concerned that this budget has failed to introduce rent certainty measures to assist tenants and first-time buyers. The charity believes that the best way to help first-time buyers is to cap exorbitant rents.

Chairperson of Threshold Aideen Hayden, said: “Today’s budget recognised the need to assist first-time buyers, many of whom are trapped renting privately while for many more, owning their home is only a dream. While we acknowledge this support, Threshold believes that the best way to help first time buyers is to cap the exorbitant rents they are facing month after month."

Ms Hayden is appealing for an urgent cap on rent increases or other measures to assist first-time buyers and those who received additional supports in today's budget such as childcare subsidies.

She said: "One third of all families with pre-school children are in rented accommodation and over 50 per cent of tenants at risk of losing their homes who contact Threshold are in full-time paid employment. Increases in childcare support or the 50 cent increase in the minimum wage will mean little to these families if they are facing rent increases of €200 or €300 per month."

Ms Hayden welcomes the €105 million investment in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme as this will have a real impact in supporting thousands of people. There is also a commitment to provide 47,000 new social housing homes by 2021.