Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1691. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 13 July 2017, the number of persons in receipt of HAP that have availed of the DHRE offer to access two months rent in advance payments and a month's deposit in respect of supports to secure a tenancy, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36467/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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The flexibility of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) as a social housing support is one of the scheme’s key characteristics and was one of the primary benefits envisaged at the outset of the scheme. Circular: Housing 15/2017, which issued on 4 April 2017, provides direction and guidance to local authorities in the operation of HAP in incidences where the HAP supported tenant wishes to have their housing need met in a different local authority area.

The Homeless Place Finder Service which operates in Dublin and Cork can also utilise HAP inter-authority movement, in seeking potential properties suitable for households who have been identified as homeless. For example, in the case of the Dublin Placefinder Service, because of the flexibility of HAP, the Service can support homeless households residing in emergency accommodation but who wish to have their long-term housing needs met in another local authority area, to find suitable accommodation supported by HAP. However, the rent limits that will apply to any HAP property, in respect of any household, will be those which apply in the local authority where the property is situated. All local authorities facilitating inter-authority movement, including those assisting homeless households to exit homeless accommodation via a Place Finder Service, must consult with the new local authority in relation to the appropriate level of support that should be provided in order to ensure equity.

The following table provides details of the inter-authority movement since April, when the option was made available:

Summary of Inter-LA Movement (as at 19 Jul 2017)

Of the 25 households that have been set up on HAP by Dublin local authorities in other non Dublin local authority areas, seven were homeless households. Those seven homeless households were set up on HAP by the DRHE in other local authority areas as follows: 4 Meath, 1 Kildare, 1 Wicklow and 1 Cork. During the same 15 week period the DRHE Place Finder service supported some 500 homeless households via HAP across the four Dublin local authority areas.

HAP is an important and valuable tool in supporting all households, including homeless households, who need assistance with their long-term housing needs.