Urgent calls for new rentals
Owners of vacant properties have been called on to work with a national charity so homeless people have a place to live.
Threshold has called on landlords in Cork with vacant properties to work with its Access Housing Unit, a service which the charity says has benefits for landlords and tenants alike.
The charity urgently needs more rental properties in the Cork city and county areas to facilitate the programme.
The service works by matching landlords with prospective tenants who are at risk of homelessness or living in temporary accommodation. The tenant completes a pre-tenancy programme and is made fully aware of their rights and obligations as tenants. Once a lease is agreed to, the rented property is visited by a representative from Threshold’s Access Housing Unit on a regular basis for the duration of the tenancy.
The aim of the programme is to help people to access accommodation in the private rented sector, through collaboration with local landlords and local authorities.
The impact of the programme is illustrated by the case of one of Threshold’s clients Audrey, whose name has been changed. Audrey came to the attention of Threshold’s Access Housing Unit as she was pregnant and living in temporary accommodation.
Threshold provided Audrey with training to enable her to develop the skills and knowledge required to secure and sustain a tenancy in the private rented sector. Over and above this, by working with a landlord in Cork, Threshold also successfully sourced and secured a home for Audrey before her baby was born.
A representative from the Access Housing Unit continues to visit Audrey to ensure that she fulfils her obligations as a tenant and that all rent and bill payments are up to date.
Assistant Manager at Threshold’s Access Housing Unit, Mairead O'Sullivan said: “By working with local landlords in both Cork city and county, our dedicated Access Housing Unit has supported 78 families – including 75 children – to move from temporary accommodation into more long-term housing over the last two years. We are appealing to all landlords to come forward and work with us to address the housing needs of families and individuals in our community.”
Southern Regional Services Manager at Threshold, Edel Conlon, said: “With limited supply of rental accommodation in Cork, we have launched an appeal to all landlords that may have residential properties to let, to come forward and work in partnership with Threshold to address the needs of our communities. Local landlords have found the service very attractive and many have come back to us time and time again.”
Landlords interested in the service can contact Mairead O’Sullivan on 021-4274164 or email infocork@ahu.ie.
Threshold’s helpline remains available Monday to Friday, 9am-9pm, at 1800-454454, and via its website at threshold.ie/advice/help for any renter in need of advice or support.