New £10m scheme to help tenants struggling with rent payments

A new £10m scheme helping tenants who are struggling to pay their rent has been launched in Wales.

The Welsh Government’s Tenancy Hardship Grant opened for applications on Thursday, July 15.

The scheme aims to help people renting in the private sector who are in significant rent arrears as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Welsh Government has said the scheme is part of its “ongoing commitment to prevent homelessness in Wales”.

Renters, who are not receiving any housing-related benefits will be eligible for the grant if they have fallen behind on their rent payments by eight weeks or more between March 1 and June 30 this year.

The scheme is being delivered by local authorities, meaning Caerphilly County Borough Council will deliver the scheme in Caerphilly County Borough.

The Tenancy Hardship Grant replaces the Tenancy Saver Loan Scheme, which was designed to help tenants who experienced a change in their income due to the pandemic.

Announcing the scheme, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS, said: “I would like to again extend my thanks to the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, credit unions and local authorities for their commitment to delivering at pace to ensure that private sector tenants could and can continue to access the support they need to prevent eviction into homelessness.”

In June, the Welsh Government extended the ban on businesses being evicted due to falling behind on rent payments until September.

For more information or to apply for the grant, visit the Welsh Government’s website.