Dessie Ellis Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson has called on local authorities and the Department of Environment to ensure that tenants under the Rental Accommodation Scheme are not allowed to go homeless because of financial difficulties faced by their landlords.
Deputy Ellis continued:
“RAS has provided many people with housing and allowed them to dig their way out of the poverty trap. Housing need is at an all-time high and local authorities and the Department of Environment must ensure that we do not see a row back on the progress made by RAS.
“I have dealt with a number of families who due to their landlord’s decision, often related to financial difficulties, are facing eviction. I spoke to two such families this week in Dublin alone with many more in danger.
“These families cannot afford housing in the normal private rental market which has increased in cost throughout the recession.
Cllr Criona Ni Dhalaigh said: “These families must be prioritised for rehousing in accommodation they can afford. They cannot be allowed to go homeless as the government has committed to work to end homelessness and the local authorities pledged in RAS agreements to not let this happen. A code of practice must also be drawn up to deal with this increasing problem.”