Housing charity Threshold is calling for a number of urgent measures to be introduced to address the growing housing and homelessness crisis.

Senator Aideen Hayden, Chairperson of Threshold, said: "The Dublin Tenancy Protection Service has been one of the most successful homelessness prevention measures undertaken in the last number of years. Since its inception in June 2014, the service has helped almost 3,000 people to remain in their homes and has assisted almost 5,500 callers with advice and support. Most importantly, the service provides a fast-track avenue for tenants to have their rent supplement increased above current rent limits to reflect increases in rent.

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"The shortage of affordable accommodation in the private rented sector and growing demand for such accommodation is now one of the leading causes of homelessness. The achievements of the Dublin TPS demonstrate clearly that the most effective way to prevent homelessness is to keep families in their existing homes, through increasing their rent supplement payment to match market rents.

"The report highlights that tenants approved for the service are facing significantly above average rent increases, with the majority experiencing rent hikes between 11 and 30 per cent. In addition, four out of every five tenancies secured by the service needed an increase in rent supplement payment above the current limit, which proves that the limits are way below market level and this needs to be urgently addressed."

(CD/LM)