Housing charity Threshold has said the Government needs to urgently introduce a national strategy on private rented housing so as to keep more families from becoming homeless.

The national housing charity, Threshold, is calling for reform of rent supplement, as well as "rent certainty".

A new plan by government to clear the 90,000 waiting list for social housing has been welcomed by support groups, but with a warning that much more work is needed to ease the crisis.

Thousands of families threatened with homelessness cannot wait years for the Government’s promise to build more homes, a leading charity has warned.

Two charities have rejected the findings of a report on the rented housing sector that claims rent control regulations would not address rising costs for tenants.

More than 70 Dublin landlords have been hauled before the courts for renting out substandard accommodation.

A housing organisation claims the increase in rent is one of the main reasons for the massive spike in those turning to homeless services.

Money paid as a deposit on rented accommodation will be held by a third party under new rules to protect tenants from unscrupulous landlords.

Housing charity Threshold says increasing numbers of desperate tenants are being forced to accept sub-standard accommodation because of growing demand and prices in the rental market.

A €100m stimulus package that would create construction jobs around the country by building more social housing is being considered for October’s budget.

Housing charity Threshold yesterday welcomed a new rent index published by the Private Residential Tenancies Board but warned that some landlords not registered with the board could be “masking” rent increases elsewhere.

Threshold said today that an 'NCT for housing' is needed to force landlords to improve sub-standard housing.

National housing charity Threshold has today dismissed speculation that new bedsit regulations will lead to an increase in homelessness.

A homelessness charity has warned more people could end up on the streets as a result of new laws for landlords.

Homeowners are being warned that collection of the new Local Property Tax will be strictly enforced and that any unpaid taxes, plus late payment interest, will have to cleared before their property can be legally sold or transferred.

Landlords illegally retaining deposits are pushing some vulnerable families towards homelessness, according to the latest annual report from Threshold.

The decision by leading banks to “walk in the shoes” of defaulting buy-to-rent landlords and collect rent directly from tenants could be illegal and risks trampling on tenant rights.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he he hopes insolvency legislation will be in the Dáil before the summer break, but emphasised that it will only be of benefit to individuals genuinely in distress with their debts.

Disputes between tenants and landlords are going unresolved because of funding problems in the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB).

Changes are being made to the Rent Supplement scheme with the minimum contribution payable by tenants set to rise.

A national housing organisation representing tenants in rented accommodation said today it has been ‘inundated’ with calls for help amid the ongoing cold snap.

AT LEAST a third of rented properties in Irish cities are failing to pass basic safety and quality inspections carried out by local authorities for the Department of the Environment.

The housing organisation Threshold says the recession has led to a sharp increase in demand for its services.

FALLING rents should not be used as an excuse to reduce rent supplement payments, housing charity Threshold has warned.

The downturn in the economy has caused a surge in the number of illegal evictions from rented housing, it was revealed today.

DESPERATE families and tenants left out of pocket after Christmas havebegun contacting helplines and support groups looking for help.

Threshold, the national housing organisation, has welcomed the Budget provision to deliver 9,000 social housing units in 2008.

RENTAL property is becoming synonymous with religious diversity.

DEBATE will begin shortly on the new programme for government.

Pressure has been put on the Government and the Opposition to help make homelessness history.

The housing organisation Threshold is advising prospective tenants to be more wary when renting properties and never to hand over cash in suspicious circumstances.

MORE than 30 people have spent almost a week queuing for affordable housing at a time when the Government is boasting of its housing achievements.

HOMELESSNESS can be practically eradicated by the end of this decade if there is a substantial increase in social housing provision for single people, according to support groups.

DUBLIN Simon Community is planning an event to celebrate the work of volunteers with us over the past 30 years. We would like former volunteers to contact (01) 8720188.

New figures from the Simon Community show the number of people sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin more than doubled last year.