Mr. Andrew Guy:

With regard to our briefing document and the questions outlined, question No. 3 was on whether there are any problems, bottlenecks or areas in need of improvement with the structures and processes currently in place. The housing needs assessment form needs to be processed more quickly. On average, it can take six weeks in certain local authority areas. Where we have a contact in a local authority, we have seen the form dealt with in as little as 24 hours, but this is the case only if there is a contact. We would like to see the form being assessed more quickly.

There is a direct knock-on in regard to people accessing the HAP. If someone is looking for a property in the private rental sector, it is imperative that he or she be able to move quickly and have access to HAP as soon as possible. Accessing the list is difficult in itself. There is an onerous paper-based application. From the perspective of a housing adviser who helps vulnerable people, I believe it can be quite a challenge for someone who does so on a daily basis, especially if each local authority operates a different scheme of letting. Therefore, it is imperative that access to the list be streamlined and made more accessible for everyone.

Income thresholds need to be reviewed. They are too low at present. Many clients coming to us are excluded from social housing altogether because their income threshold is too high. They are unable to afford current market rents. We see a general lack of transparency in how houses are allocated. There was a perception that people who may be on a list for a certain time see others getting a house ahead of them. They feel there is a who-you-know approach to allocation. We feel more transparency in the whole process would benefit everyone.

The choice-based lettings system is very welcome and positive. It does, however, create a change in the dynamic of how houses are allocated. The applicant must take the initiative in expressing interest. An obvious benefit is choice and control for the applicant. It is a change affecting many who might have been on the list for a long period. If this is implemented, housing supports and advice will be necessary to complement it. In addition, it is IT-based. Many of our clients whom we see daily may not be proficient in IT or may not have any access to IT systems.

On question No. 4, on what improvements, if any, can be made, a national policy on housing allocation should be implemented. It would offer better transparency and consistency between the approaches of each local authority. Ultimately, it would be of benefit to the service user. For instance, a score sheet based on a points system concerning the time one has been on the list would give one a better understanding as to where one stands and how long it may take to be offered a property.

Choice-based letting should be introduced across the board through all local authorities. However, housing supports and advice should be given alongside this to ensure those who may not have access to the appropriate systems or who may not have an understanding of how the system actually works will not be put at a disadvantage.

Question No. 5 seeks examples of best practice in the area. The choice-based letting system offers best practice in the Irish context. We feel it could be a fair system. Any housing options a local authority is developing should be offered with housing advice and support services in a wider context as part of homelessness prevention work and wider housing services.

Question No. 6 concerns whether there are any local authorities with any innovative practices. While not a local authority, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive uses the ETHOS typology of housing assessment. ETHOS is a broad definition of homelessness and housing exclusion and includes households that are roofless, in insecure housing or sofa-surfing. This approach should be used by all local authorities and should certainly be adopted in changing the definition of homelessness. Each local authority, particularly front-line staff, should be given training in using this typology and assessment method.

On how Ireland compares with other countries in regard to the average time spent on waiting lists, we feel the social housing system in each country is unique, which makes it extremely difficult, and potentially misleading, to make comparisons between countries.

With regard to the average waiting time when placed on a housing waiting list, our clients regularly report very long waiting times. We have seen people on the list for over ten years. In Galway, for example, most people have been on the list for over ten years. Some people we encounter have been on the list for up to 14 years. It is difficult to say but the majority of clients are definitely on the list for more than five years, and sometimes more than ten.