Survey reveals no rent supplement accommodation in Galway

Singles, couples and families have virtually a zero chance of getting accommodation in the city under the Rent Supplement Scheme, the Galway City Tribune can reveal.

A study carried out by the Simon Communities in Ireland on the rental sector in Galway city last May painted a bleak picture for those seeking ‘rent supplement accommodation’.

While there were 104 properties to rent in Galway city on May 5 last, no apartment was available for a single person seeking accommodation under the Rent Supplement Scheme, worth €475 a month to landlords.

On the same day of the ‘snapshot survey’ carried out by Simon, none of those 104 properties had any rent supplement accommodation available for a couple – this carries an allowance of €540 per month.

According to Niamh Randall, National Spokesperson for the Simon Communities, the issue of rising rents and a restricted supply of housing was causing homelessness across the country.

For more on the rental crisis, see this week’s Galway City Tribune