Measures needed to protect older people living in rented accommodation

A former employee of a city shop retained keys to the business and robbed the takings

placeholder image — A former employee of a city shop retained keys to the business and robbed the takings

Sinn Féin has called on Government to act now to protect older and elderly renters.

The call came following the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform’s Paschal Donohoe’s appearance before the Budgetary Oversight Committee this week, to discuss the Government’s Summer Economic Statement.

Patricia Ryan TD, Sinn Fein TD for Kildare South, and the Party’s Spokesperson for Older People, questioned what measures the Government have put in place to protect people aged 65 and over who are currently and will probably end their lives, living in rented accommodation, for unaffordable rent levels when they move to fixed incomes on retirement.

Deputy Ryan said: "The percentage of people 65 and older living in rented accommodation has increased by a massive 83% in the most recent Census – a huge increase by any standard.

"Unfortunately, thanks to successive Governments poor housing policy decisions, the availability of age friendly affordable housing has not increased!"

"This is a huge cause for concern. Not all older people own their own homes. I asked Minister Donohoe today what plans his department has to address this.

There are older people who have retired, on fixed incomes no longer able to afford sky-high private rents, but whose income exceed social housing thresholds.

"And even if they are eligible for social housing, they are faced with years on housing lists, at the mercy of the HAP system and private landlords."