Nearly half their income in rent?

Mr and Mrs A have been married for 26 years. For the last 13 years they had lived in a small cottage in Hopper Street rent $13 per week. Power and gas bills were included in the cost of rent. They liked it there: a small garden enabled them to potter around outside on fine days.

In March this year the Council informed them that they had to get out as their flat was being demolished to make room for the new Arlington block. They applied for a Council flat and were placed in a small one bedroom unit in Newtown Park Council flats. Rent for this unit is $16. The flat was unfurnished, had no phone and no washing machine.

Mr A has been receiving the Social Welfare sickness benefit for the last 12 months. Because of a serious heart complaint he is unable to work. Mrs A is 56 years of age and cannot work. Their total income is $47.90a week. They were recently informed of the latest Council flat rent increase. As from the 1st of August their rent will be $21 a week week.

Food costs them approximately $12 a week, leaving them $14.90 per week for any extra costs like transport, medical bills, power bills and clothing. They cannot afford a phone. A two monthly winter power bill is approximately $16. They are unable to save.

Problems with Social Welfare aside, this couple have had no help from Council concerning the possibility of their getting special financial benefits or the removal of the latest increase for them. They feel trapped and downtrodden and the worry of the rent increase is affecting their health further.