A housing charity has said support is available for private renters as the average price of rent in Belfast is now over £1,100 per month.
Housing Rights has said it hears from struggling renters every day as people across Northern Ireland are under pressure to keep a roof over their heads, with a recent report from PropertyPal showing the average rent price ros 9% during 2024.
The average cost of rent in Belfast is now £1,102 per month, with the charity saying historical low levels of social housing stock and the cost of living crisis adding to this.
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Aisling Cunningham, Advice Services Manager with Housing Rights has said th housing crisis in Northern Ireland is causing a "vast imbalance" and fears more and more people will be at risk of homelessness in the future. This comes as the social housing waiting list now has more than 48,000 people on it.
She said:“We are hearing every day from private renters who are really struggling and who are at serious risk of losing their homes.
“We currently have over 48,000 people on the waiting list for a social home. The housing crisis is causing a vast imbalance of supply and demand, creating a worsening situation and driving up private rent prices at unprecedented and rapid rates. As rent prices continue to rise and income stagnates, we risk more private renters being driven into poverty and homelessness.
“We would encourage anyone who is worried to seek advice and support from Housing Rights. We offer advice on housing benefits entitlements and help with applications for extra support, help with accessing grants for rent deposits, as well as a free housing mediation service that can help resolve disputes in privately rented properties.
“We can help people apply to the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme. This scheme gives some extra help to people whose benefits don’t cover their full rent. There are certain conditions that must be met, and the application can be tricky, but our advisers can help with this. We can also provide advice when someone has already been getting a DHP, but their award has recently ended or been reduced.
“For some people that little bit extra might just help them to keep a roof over their heads and prevent homelessness.”
Anyone who is worried about meeting housing costs can contact Housing Rights helpline on 028 9024 5640, or can chat online with an adviser at www.housingrights.org.uk
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