NIHE TENANTS RENT INCREASE UNJUST The NIHE rent increase which is due to take effect from the 1st April 2014 is another clear sign that those on the hill have no understanding of just how tough things are for those living within our community. Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland, has agreed to raise Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants rent by 4.2%, which will cost the average NIHE tenant £2.56 per week – £133.12 per year. This increase will undoubtedly have the greatest impact on those tenants within our communities who are in employment, but often on a very low wage. It will also affect pensioners who are just above the line and cannot claim any help via housing benefit. These very people already have to make stark choices whether they heat or eat and this decision will only compound the extreme pressure they are currently under. I understand that some will say that it is only a rise of £10 a month but when you take into consideration the increase in the cost of living and the fact that most will not have had a wage rise in over five years, you are left asking yourself one question. Where does the minister think this money is coming from? There are residents who have contacted me who have explained that they can only afford one drum of oil per week to heat their home. This increase will result in them either getting into arrears with their rent, unable to heat their homes and worst of all having to cut back on what they spend on food for themselves and their children. I know there will be those reading this that will say these rents are low in comparison to the private sector housing but this has to be judged on income. I have never understood the term affordable rented housing when for many it is just not affordable without struggling. This increase is unfair and unjust and I call on the minister to prove that he does have the community concerns at heart and reverse this decision. Lexi Davidson Election Candidate Progressive Unionist Party Lurgan Branch
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 06:25:28 +0000
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