Rent supplement changes 'could trap domestic abuse victims'

The new criteria mean applicants must be living in rented accommodation for six months or on a housing waiting list before they can qualify for the payments.

But housing and homeless charity Focus Ireland said the changes mean that rent supplement will no longer be available as a “safety net” for vulnerable people such as women trying to escape abusive relationships.

Focus Ireland chief executive Joyce Loughnan said: “We are very concerned this decision to change who is eligible will act to trap people living in situations such as domestic abuse as the changes mean they would not be able to apply for rent supplement if they were suddenly forced to leave their homes.

“It will also impact on people who lose their home suddenly due to illness or a bereavement as they are now no longer eligible to apply for rent supplement.”

Changes to the rent supplement scheme will also put more vulnerable families and single people at serious risk of becoming homeless, according to the charity.

Focus Ireland called on the Government to urgently reverse the decision as it would undo much solid progress made in recent years towards combating and preventing homelessness in Ireland.

“While by no means perfect, the rent supplement system has allowed relatively speedy access to accommodation in the private rented sector for families and individuals in urgent need of housing,” she said.

“It has acted as a ’safety net’ to prevent many people becoming homeless and entering the system of emergency accommodation.”

Focus Ireland also criticised the proposed 8% reduction in the rent supplement scheme and warned this will have a significant impact on the weekly income of some of the poorest families in society.

“Rather than forcing rents down in the private sector, as the Government expects, the move is more likely to force already hard-pressed families to make up the shortfall from their social welfare payments,” added Ms Loughnan.

Mr Lenihan said in his Budget speech that he was making the changes in the rent supplement scheme to reflect the recent fall in prices in the rental market.

The jobseekers’ allowance for people aged under 20 years was also halved to €100 a week to encourage them to enter training programmes.

Focus Ireland said this change would also have dire consequences for many vulnerable young people who seek help from homeless organisations.

Mr Lenihan said the changes to the rent supplement eligibility and payment regime are expected to save the Exchequer up to €78m next year.