Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The housing assistance payment, HAP, is a flexible and immediate housing support available to all eligible households throughout the State. At the end of quarter four of 2021, more than 100,000 HAP tenancies had been set up since the scheme commenced, of which more than 61,900 households were actively receiving HAP support.

Under HAP, tenants source their own accommodation in the private-rented market. However, additional supports are available under HAP for homeless households or households at risk of homelessness. While eligible households or individuals may source accommodation for themselves under the homeless HAP scheme, a dedicated resource, the place finder service, has been established nationwide to provide assistance. The place finder service can assist households in emergency accommodation or at risk of homelessness primarily by providing access to deposits and advance rental payments. The operation of the homeless services, including the place finder service, is a matter for each local authority.

The place finder positions are funded by my Department. On foot of a circular, housing 4/2018, the Department has issued approval for 23 place finder positions in local authorities. However, place finder positions were already in place in the four Dublin local authorities prior to the circular being issued. In 2021, there were five HAP place finders in the four Dublin local authorities, in addition to their existing homeless services. Several local authorities indicated they did not wish to seek additional resources to establish a place finder service as they were satisfied with their existing homeless services.

Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment of up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. It is a matter for the local authority to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether, and to what extent, the application of the flexibility is warranted, although it should be noted that local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that tenancies are sustainable. From available data, at the end of the fourth quarter of 2021, some 57% of the total number of households being supported by HAP were benefiting from the additional flexibility, at an average rate of discretion of 24.2% above the relevant limit.

The programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while the supply of social housing increases. Under Housing for All, the Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of 20% discretion available to local authorities under HAP is required to maintain adequate levels of HAP support. The Housing Agency undertook this exercise on behalf of the Department and submitted the review to the Department. The review is undergoing analysis in our Department and this will conclude shortly. This is something the Department is considering.

I note the Deputy's comments concerning the spiralling rents. There are also many issues with landlords leaving the market. This is placing an added burden on homeless services and local authorities. Our Department is committed to ensuring we have a full range of services and supports in place for families at risk of homelessness. Homeless HAP has provided a good basis for trying to support families and individuals in these circumstances. The longer-term picture here concerns the supply of social housing, which we are delivering at scale. It will, however, take some time to get to the point where this provision will make a marked impact on the homeless situation, which we acknowledge is difficult now.

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