Less than 40 properties for rent in March under affordable HAP scheme
In 10 of the 16 areas under the Housing Assistance Payment scheme (HAP), there were no properties available to rent through the scheme in any household category
The number of houses available to rent for people accessing the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) stood at 38 nationwide, according to the latest report from the Simon Community.
The group’s Locked Out Of The Market report for March shows this was an increase of five properties since December.
The report found 1,180 properties were available to rent at any price within the 16 areas surveyed over the three dates assessed in March.
This is a 76% increase (508 properties) from the 672 properties available in the March 2023 Locked Out report.
Wayne Stanley, executive director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, said “the latest Locked Out Of The Market report highlights what the broader figures and the experience of Simon frontline workers across the country are telling us.
“We need to see more progress on delivery of affordable housing in Ireland. The recognition of the need for greater ambition on housing by Taoiseach Simon Harris is very welcome but we now need his Government to outline how this new ambition will be delivered."
In 10 of the 16 areas, there were no HAP properties available to rent through the scheme in any household category within standard or discretionary limits.
These were Athlone, Cork city centre, Galway city suburbs, Galway city centre, Co Leitrim, Limerick city suburbs, Limerick city centre, Sligo town, Portlaoise and Waterford city centre.