MakeRoom Welcomes Rent Supplement and Homeless Funding Budget Decisions

December 22, 2009

MakeRoom, the campaign alliance of Focus Ireland, the Simon Communities of Ireland, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and Threshold has today welcomed the government's decision not to cut homeless funding or to cut rent supplement levels in Budget 2010.

Speaking on behalf of the campaign Bob Jordan said:

'MakeRoom is very pleased that Government did not cut the homeless budget for 2010. This is clearly an indication of its commitment to achieving its stated goals of ending the need to sleep rough and long term homelessness by the end of 2010.

'In the run up to the budget MakeRoom campaigned against any further cuts to Rent Supplement in Budget 2010. We are pleased that Government heeded our calls.

'As housing need continues to rise increasing numbers of people affected by the recession are turning to the private sector to meet their accommodation needs. Rent Supplement provides a vital safety net for many of these households.

'Any cut in Rent Supplement levels would have pushed households further into poverty and put them at an increased risk of homelessness.

'We are concerned however, that Government has indicated that it intends to reduce Rent Supplement expenditure by €20 million in 2010 through a review of maximum rent caps. MakeRoom strongly supports a full review of rent levels at the bottom end of the rental market. We urge the Government to wait until such a review is completed before making any decision on possible changes to rent supplement caps .' ENDS