Calls For Rent Supplement To Increase To 'realistic Level'

Calls for rent supplement to increase to 'realistic level'

Focus Ireland says rent supplement needs to be increased in order to help tackle the homelessness crisis. Yesterday marches took place across the country to raise awareness and provide supplies for those who sleep rough. A sleep out was held on Molesworth Street in Dublin - the area where Jonathan Corrie died before Christmas. After his death a homelessness forum was established to alleviate the number of people sleeping on the streets and a number of pledges were given. Mike Allen, director of Advocacy for Focus Ireland, says rent supplement needs to be increased. "The most significant reason landlords won't take rent supplement at the moment, is that the rent supplement is at 20 percent or more below the rent they can get from other people" he said. "So unless the rent supplement comes up to a more realistic level, we're going to be constantly struggling" he added.