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Welsh government to introduce £10m grant scheme for struggling private renters
Ministers in Wales will introduce a £10m grant scheme to support private renters struggling to pay the rent because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Today, the Welsh government has announced a Tenancy Hardship Grant for private tenants who have fallen behind on their rent by more than eight weeks between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.
It is intended to prevent people from being evicted as a result of income losses caused by the pandemic and replaces the Tenancy Saver Loan introduced in December, with all loans issued through that scheme set to be converted to grant.
The grant will be administered by councils and will be open to renters who are not receiving housing-related benefits. Grants will be processed from mid-July.
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Welsh climate change and housing minister Julie James said: “I understand the stress and worry people will be experiencing if they have fallen behind in their rent.
“We also know that once someone falls behind with their rent it can be increasingly difficult for them to catch up without support.
“We also know that if they are made homeless, the impact on them and their families is huge – so too is the cost to public services of dealing with homelessness.
“This grant helps to prevent homelessness by helping people address their rent arrears and keep their tenancies.”
She urged anyone struggling to pay the rent, even those only just starting to have difficulties, “to contact their landlord or agent and organisations like Citizens Advice or Shelter Cymru so they receive the right advice and support”.
Last week, the Scottish government also announced a £10m grant for tenants who have fallen into rent arrears during the pandemic.
The National Residential Landlords Association has called on ministers in England to provide a £270m package for struggling renters.
Also this month, the Welsh government extended the six-month notice period on evictions until 30 September.
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