Rentals shut doors to welfare tenants

People on the housing waiting list are finding it almost impossible to find rental accommodation in Galway City.

A survey of more than 130 properties for rent around the city found that only a tiny fraction of them could be rented by people who depend on Social Welfare assistance – which can lead to homelessness.

Just five of the properties could potentially be rented by those on the waiting list, which currently stands at around 3,600 households.

Sinn Féin candidate for the City Central ward, Anna Marley, said increasing pressure is being piled on by rent hikes, a shortage of suitable properties and bank repossessions of buy-to-let properties.

Of the 131 properties, 121 (92%) were above the maximum rent supplement thresholds set out by the Department of Social Protection. Of the ten properties that came within the limits, five landlords said they would not accept rent supplement.

That means that 96% of those in receipt of assistance would not be considered a tenant in the properties.

“We have a serious housing crisis in Galway City at present. Of course many have been arbitrarily removed from the list so the real figure is much bigger.

“The survey found that 92% of rented accommodation advertised was above the Social Welfare threshold for rent supplement.

“Cuts to rent supplement and rising rents are making it increasingly difficult for families to access the private rental sector.

“This is being made worse by the growing number of private landlords selling up, as banks move to repossess distressed buy-to-let mortgages. The result is increased homelessness and an increased housing need,” she said.

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