December Locked Out of the Market Report Finds 33 HAP Properties Available Across 16 Areas
The Simon Communities of Ireland’s quarterly Locked Out of the Market report, from December 2023, shows 33 properties were available to rent within the discretionary rate of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme. This is an increase of 6 properties (22%) since September 2023.
The report found 1,149 properties were available to rent at any price within the 16 areas over the three dates surveyed (December 2023). This is a 28% (248 properties) increase from the 901 properties available in the September 2023 Locked Out report.
Just two properties were available within standard HAP rates. Both properties were located in Cork City Centre. One property was suitable for both a couple/single person with one or two children. The other property was suitable for a couple/single person with two children.
In 9 of the 16 areas, there were no HAP properties available to rent through HAP in any household category within standard or discretionary HAP limits. 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.”
Single person households received an increased HAP rate to match that available to couples in June 2022. Locked Out of the Market December 2023 found no properties within standard HAP limits for this household type. 10 properties were available for single persons/couples through discretionary HAP rates. All these properties were located across the three Dublin areas studies except for one in Waterford City Centre.
For couples/one parent families with one child, there were 2 properties were available within standard HAP limits, and 16 properties were available within discretionary HAP limits. The majority of these properties were located in Dublin, with the remainder located in Cork City Centre (2 properties) and Dundalk (2 properties).
The same two properties were available for families with two children within standard HAP limits. 20 properties were available within discretionary HAP limits for this household type. The majority of these properties overlap with those available for families with one child.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact:
Aileen Gaskin
P: 087 7724 717 E: communications@simoncommunity.com
