Left out in thecold: A review of rural homelessness in ireland Ireland is in the middle of a housing crisis with 89,872 households on the social housing waiting list. The€30 million housing stimulus package announced as part of Budget 2014 was welcome but inadequate in light of such high levels of need. This was to some degree acknowledged with the announcement of the Investment Stimulus Package in May 2014 of €50 million in capital funding. However, this will not stem the growing tide of housing demand. It is now clear that a significant impetus is required to address the ever growing social housing need. The Private Rental Sector still remains the only housing option for many people. However, rent inflation has reached double figures in the capital and continues to increase in other major cities and larger towns across the country. In addition to this, the number of rental properties available has continued to decrease since 2011. The most recent Daft.ie rental report for Q1 2014 reported rents nationally are now 8.9% higher than one year previously. There were 5,800 properties available to rent nationwide as of May 1st 2014, the lowest level since October 2007. On securing private rented accommodation, tenants remain vulnerable to scheduled and unscheduled rent increases. The majority of people on social welfare are dependent on rent supplement to access and remain in housing. This is becoming more difficult for many with rents now being above the rent supplement limits and a growing number of landlords unwilling to accept rent supplement payments. Lack of available social housing and barriers preventing people accessing housing in the 6 private rental sector has made it more and more difficult to secure accommodation. This is not only causing homelessness but, it is also preventing people from leaving homelessness. People who are homeless are being effectively trapped in expensive emergency homeless accommodation far longer than they should be. A new approach is required involving significant investment in social housing provided to the local authorities and the approved housing bodies in greater numbers. The Simon Communities welcome the development of the New Social Housing Strategy and have made a submission to the preparation of same. This Social Housing Strategy must address immediate needs as a matter of urgency; provide a sustainable way of supplying long term social housing, particularly for people who are vulnerable; and tackle past failures in terms of housing policy and provision in Ireland. Any vision for the provision of social housing into the future must at its core be inclusive, meet the range of needs and supports, provide for a range of housing types and reflect the reality of changing life circumstances of tenants in terms of building life-long adaptable housing.
Left out in the cold: A review of rural homelessness in Ireland
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