CLICK HERE TO BEGIN SURVEY
Sinn Féin councillor Conor D. McGuinness has announced details of an online survey to assess how renters across the State are coping during Covid-19. Latest figures show rent supplement figures increased by 33% during the pandemic.
McGuinness said:
“The Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing Eoin O’Broin TD has launched an online survey that aims to get a snapshot of how renters are coping during the Covid-19 pandemic. We want to get a sense as to how this pandemic has impacted on people’s rental situations, their incomes, whether landlords have been supportive and if they are aware of the availability of rent supplement.
“The housing crisis has not gone away. We know from data published by the ESRI that young people and those renting are more likely to be in a more precarious situation with regards to their income due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“While we expect the Minister for Housing to announce an extension to the ban on rent increases and evictions, this survey is an attempt to see if there is a fear about rental debt accruing and what will happen once the ban on rent increases and evictions is eventually lifted.
“We have previously highlighted the government’s failure to publicise both the availability of rent supplement for renters and the changes made to the eligibility criteria as rent supplement claimant figures increase.
“Since March this year, the number of tenancies being supported by rent supplement increased by 33%. The government must do all it can to prevent renters from falling into arrears.
“The Sinn Féin renters survey is hoping to capture some of the issues renters are facing in order to put forward sensible, workable solutions. It only takes a few minutes to complete and can be accessed on www.conormcguinness.ie.
ENDS//
Note to Editor: Link to Sinn Féin’s renters survey – https://s.surveyplanet.com/mNtCZRN5_
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 