SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
However, Mr Durkan stated the move highlights the power Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has and urged her to do more to protect struggling households, including greater support for mortgage interest payments (SMI.)
Said the Foyle MLA: “The rent cap afforded to Housing Executive tenants is a welcome step from the Minister and will provide some security for individuals and families in the year ahead.
“I am cognisant however that soaring energy prices and the cost of living crisis is impacting every household.
“This rent freeze only applies to the Housing Executive meaning that other tenants within the social housing sector from other housing associations, won’t benefit from this protection.
“Arguably private renters and homeowners are among the most adversely impacted by the current financial climate.
“Many of these households will have found themselves locked out of support packages to date – these are the sectors which desperately need stability through rent caps and mortgage support.
“What Minister Hargey’s move on rent caps does highlight, is the power she holds to protect struggling households.
“Myself and others have been urging the Minister to do more and this provision will help, but she must go further.
“The Minister has the power to provide support for mortgage interest, but despite urging action on this matter since 2020, she has failed to establish protections for homeowners.
“I would urge the Minister to use her powers to do more to ease the financial burden on vulnerable individuals and their families, who are being pushed further into poverty.
“People are barely scraping by, the need a robust framework of protections now.
“They can’t afford dither and delay when people being forced to make a ream of tough decisions on a daily basis; keeping lights off, opting for an extra blanket to save gas or excluding items from their food shop.
“The tough decisions these people face need proactive efforts from the Minister.”
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