REVEALED: Areas in Ireland where there are no HAP properties available to rent

There are no Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) properties available to rent in 9 out of 16 areas in the country, latest figures show. 

The figures for December show that there is a chronic shortage of properties available to people who are homeless, with record figures recorded recently for homeless figures around the country. 

The latest Locked Out report from the Simon found there were no HAP properties available to rent through HAP in any household category within standard or discretionary HAP limits in 9 out of 16 areas.

These were Athlone, Cork City Suburbs, Galway City Centre, Kildare (selected areas), Leitrim, Limerick City Suburbs, Limerick City Centre, Sligo Town and Portlaoise.

As seen in many recent Locked Out of the Market reports, the supply of properties within HAP limits are predominantly in Dublin; 25 (76%) of the total 33 HAP properties were found in Dublin.

In Dublin the discretionary rate allows up to an additional 50% on the standard rate; this is limited to 35% elsewhere in the country. Four areas outside of Dublin had properties available within discretionary HAP limits. These were Cork City Centre (2 properties), Dundalk (4 properties), Galway City Suburbs (1 property) and Waterford City Centre (1 property).

Portlaoise had the lowest number of properties available to rent with just one property available across the three days. Although the total number of properties available to rent increased since the September Locked Out report, four of the 16 study areas saw a reduction in the number of properties available to rent.

These include Kildare, Leitrim, Portlaoise and Waterford City Centre. The largest increases in the number of available properties took place in Galway City Suburbs, Dublin City Centre, Dundalk and Limerick City Centre.

Wayne Stanley, Executive Director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: "The Locked Out reports continue to show the dearth of options for those experiencing homelessness in the private rental market. While there was a small increase in availability in December 2023, it is clear the private rental market is not a sustainable option for the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness.

"The solution is well understood; it is more social housing.

"The scale of the homeless crisis in front of us requires immediate action from Government. In the short term, the Minister could increase the HAP rates to ensure that more properties become a viable option on a HAP payment. Government can work with local authorities to see a more targeted use of the allocations from local authorities. Also, progressing the Simon Homeless Prevention Bill would support local authorities and organisations like Simon to prevent homelessness and slow the increase.

"These actions would help bring much needed hope into the system for people who are experiencing homelessness," Mr Stanley said.