{"id":25118,"date":"2022-02-16T09:24:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-16T14:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25118"},"modified":"2022-02-16T12:26:27","modified_gmt":"2022-02-16T17:26:27","slug":"housing-executive-tenants-rents-to-be-temporarily-frozen-in-the-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=25118","title":{"rendered":"Housing Executive Tenants Rents To Be Temporarily Frozen In The North"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Deirdre Hargey confirmed on Wednesday that the move would be introduced following a surge in the cost of living, which has left many families and households struggling (PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rents in Northern Ireland will be temporarily frozen for Housing Executive tenants, the Communities Minister has said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deirdre Hargey confirmed on Wednesday that the move would be introduced following a surge in the cost of living, which has left many families and households struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Hargey said she wanted to support people \u201cfacing soaring fuel and household bills\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rent freeze for Housing Executive tenants will apply for 2022\/23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Housing Executive is responsible for housing thousands of people and families across Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move, she said, will \u201cnot place any further financial burden on individuals and families trying hard each day to make ends meet\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis follows the recent success in closing the loopholes in welfare mitigation schemes, meaning top-up payments will be available to more people who currently have their benefits reduced because of the \u2018bedroom tax\u2019 and benefit cap,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have also announced a \u00a3200 (\u20ac238) payment to support 280,000 eligible people in meeting their energy costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight now, tenants need security, and a freeze in their rents will provide a bit of stability on an important housing cost in an uncertain climate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Hargey also said that housing associations in the region should consider the pressure tenants are under when setting rent levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery household, including all those across the social housing sector, are facing unprecedented living costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile I appreciate rent levels are an issue for each housing association board, I would call on them to be mindful of the times we are in when considering rent levels,\u201d the minister said.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>