Youth Council says Government decision
on Rent Supplement gives hope to
Young People in search of housing

Wednesday 7 July 2004
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has welcomed today's Government announcement to provide long-term recipients of rent supplement with other housing options, such as social housing or long-term leases.

The youth body, which has been to the fore in calling for reform of the system, says the move will provide hope to many young people, particularly those who are long-term recipients of the subsidy provided to those on social welfare to help them rent private sector accommodation.

The decision means that long-term recipients will be split from those who only need to avail of short-term support, and provided with other options, including long-term leases in rented accommodation under a new arrangement with landlords.

"Today's announcement is good news for young people who are being squeezed hard by the high prices demanded by landlords," said Dónall Geoghegan, NYCI's policy co-ordinator. "It provides young people who cannot afford to rent, never mind buy, their own home, with some hope. Young people on rent supplement for some time will now have greater security and better long-term housing options."

Over a third - or 19,000 - of those who are currently receiving help from Government to cover high housing rental costs have been dependent on the rent supplement for more than 18 months. Almost 25% of that number are under the age of 30. Of the total receiving rent supplement on either a short or long-term basis - 58,000 - just under 23,000 are young people.

Following cuts announced to the rent supplement system in last year's Budget, NYCI called on Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Coughlan to set up a working group under Social Partnership to examine the implications of the cutbacks as well as the broader issues involved. The youth body was concerned that the rent supplement scheme was not doing what it was originally designed to do: assist those who have a long-term housing need but cannot access social housing.

Today's decision is consistent with many of the findings of that group. It does not reverse the Budget cutbacks, but it provides alternative and more flexible options.

"Young people are vulnerable to falling into a poverty trap when they do find full-time employment. Getting a job means they are no longer eligible for financial assistance with their rent. This new system will ensure that their rents won't shoot up all of a sudden as soon as they start earning," said Mr Geoghegan.

He added: "The new arrangement is also good news for young single people who cannot afford to buy their own home and generally don't get a look in when it comes to getting a Local Authority house or flat. Now they will be able to look forward to the possibility of acquiring a long-term lease in private rented accommodation. And better quality accommodation too because rented premises will be inspected more regularly to ensure landlords are meeting the required standards."

But, said Mr Geoghegan, the new system should not divert attention from the issue of housing supply.

"The Government must now follow up on today's very welcome decision by committing the resources needed to meet its own targets for social housing under the National Development Plan".

For further information, please contact:
Dónall Geoghegan, Assistant Director (Youth Affairs), NYCI - 087 222 5691
Laura O'Mahony, Press Officer, NYCI - 01 478 4122 ext 220 / 087 219 5702
Email: press@nyci.ie

Laura O'Mahony - National Youth Council (NYCI)
PRESS & INFORMATION OFFICER
Tel: 01 478 4122 ext 220
Mobile: 087 219 5702
Email: press@nyci.ie
Press releases: www.youth.ie/news/press.php

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