DEMAND FOR SVP SERVICES
MABS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, has various services available to people who are experiencing financial difficulties.
MABS offers a free, independent and strictly confidential service and it is open to anyone who is facing personal or multiple debts.
Experienced Money Advisors will discuss and assist the individuals situation and help prepare a budget, which is suitable to their needs.
People can avail of help from MABS in a number of ways: A face-to-face service can be done by making contact with the local office and directly arranging a suitable appointment. The dedicated Mortgage Advisor will assist with serious mortgage arrears, and if the lender has moved to take legal action. If attending a repossession hearing in the circuit court, MABS will provide a Court Mentor, who will be present and tell you what is happening and what other supports are available. For further information call the helpline at 0761 07 2390. RISING RENTS are forcing families in Gorey to seek the services from SVP to help with the high cost of living.
Jim Lee, president of Gorey SVP, said there is a constant demand as the cost of rent poses problems for families.
‘Rent is continuously on the rise,’ said Jim. ‘We have perceived this idea that the economy is getting better, but I don’t think it is at all.’
Jim reported he had six people in the office last week, to help him deal with a large volume of letters received from individuals and families who need support.
He said the cost of living is still a problem and ‘if they can’t pay their rent they become homeless.’
However, Jim said another problem Gorey faces is the lack of council houses built in the last year which has a knock-on-effect, as the number of properties available to rent also continues to fall, causing problems for individuals and families in the area. ‘We still
get great support from the people of Gorey,’ said Jim. ‘We get lots of donations of furniture and other items for our shop, which in turn we sell to supply vouchers to help families out.’ Meanwhile, Frank Pierce of Pierce Properties in Gorey has noticed a steady increase in the cost of rent, with a three-bedroom house averaging about €900 per month in the town and surrounding districts. ‘It is slowly creeping up,’ said Frank. ‘And I have noticed it has increased by 10 per cent since 2016.’