Ms Jackie Harrington:

There are similarities and differences between the HAP scheme and rent supplement. In an area where HAP is rolled out, it is available to new applicants and rent supplement is no longer available. Residents leaving direct provision, if they are in a HAP area, would apply to the local authority for a housing needs assessment, in the same way they would have for rent supplement. Those customers, subject to satisfying the conditions set down in the relevant legislation, may be eligible for HAP. Someone coming from a direct provision centre may be eligible for HAP or rent supplement. The RAS is different. It is a scheme that people transfer to when they have been in receipt of rent supplement for 18 months or more. New people can move onto HAP directly in areas where HAP has been rolled out.