Rent proposal criticised

ORGANISATIONS representing voluntary and community groups will today call on the Government to drop new proposals preventing anyone who hasn’t rented for six months or more from getting rent supplement.

The organisations say the Department of Social and Family Affairs restrictions will have a catastrophic effect on the weak and exposed sections of society, causing extreme hardship and possible homelessness.

If the proposal is introduced health boards will have the power to refuse rent supplement, and all applicants will in future have to be systematically assessed by their local authority to determine if they are in fact in need of housing.