The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has announced that the Abhaile Scheme is to be extended for a further four years. The scheme has proven critical in terms of supporting families who find themselves in serious or long-term mortgage arrears and are at risk of losing their homes.
Over 26,400 households have been supported since the scheme was set up in 2016 and 85 per cent of households who availed of support under Abhaile either have a solution in place or are on the path to doing so.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Minister Humphreys said, the prospect of losing a home can be a deeply traumatic experience for the entire family. She added that the extension is supported by a recently completed independent review which recommends Abhaile continues until 2027.
"I know from my days working in a Credit Union, the stress placed on households who find themselves struggling to meet their mortgage repayments. The prospect of losing your home can be a deeply traumatic experience for the entire family.
"Given the current interest rate increases and the cost-of-living pressures that people are under, Minister McEntee and I felt it was only right to extend the Abhaile service for a further four-year period.
"In addition, this extension is supported by a recently completed independent review which recommends Abhaile continue, and by the commitment in the current Programme for Government to continue to fund Abhaile. I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff in the Abhaile Service for their hard work and commitment," said Minister Humphreys.
