Rising rents 'forcing families into homelessness'

Families living in rented accommodation are under severe pressure from rising rents, Housing lobby group Threshold said today.

It is calling on the Government to tackle rising rents by linking them to the consumer price index.

Shortage of supply and poor accommodation are other major issues facing renters.

Threshold chairperson, Senator Aideen Hayden, said that many families are at risk of homelessness.

"We're seeing a lot of issues around rent, rent arrears and particularly issues around family homelessness, families who find that they just cannot keep paying exorbitant rent increases."