Threshold warns of post-Christmas homelessness risk

Tenants were today urged to budget carefully over Christmas to avoid falling behind with their rent in the new year.

Tenants were today urged to budget carefully over Christmas to avoid falling behind with their rent in the new year.

Housing group Threshold warned renters who spend beyond their means over the holiday season could risk homelessness.

Threshold said calls for help surged by more than 80% between December last year and January because of the financial pressures of Christmas.

Stephen Large, from the group's Dublin advice centre, said renters should set aside money for bills before they spend money on Christmas.

"People living in rented accommodation who spend beyond their means at Christmas-time risk falling behind in their rent in January," Mr Large said.

"Obviously, everyone should enjoy Christmas, but this doesn't have to lead to debt.

"Our advice to clients is to set money aside for the rent and bills now, before spending anything at all on Christmas.

"In particular, we would advise the elderly, those in poor health and those in older properties to remember that you will need extra money for heating costs during the winter."

Last December 1,136 people sought advice from Threshold but the figure jumped to 2,101 the following month.

"Last year, we saw an 85% increase in queries between December and January," said Mr Large.

"Ninety per cent of people who got in touch with Threshold at that time were looking for our help because they had fallen behind in paying their rent.

"Clearly, there is a correlation between the high costs associated with Christmas and people's ability to pay their rent in the following months."

Mr Large said the group is fearful that larger numbers will experience difficulties this January than normal because of the recession.

"We have already seen an increase this year in the numbers of people contacting us because of housing problems directly related to financial difficulties," he said.

PA