Simon Communities’ latest “Locked Out of the Market” survey found no rental properties available within standard Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limits across the 16 areas examined.
Key Findings
Only 31 properties met any HAP threshold, all falling under discretionary rates, which is just 3% of the 929 properties listed for rent during the three‑day December snapshot. Dublin dominated the HAP‑eligible pool, accounting for 27 of those homes, whereas Portlaoise and Sligo offered only one and four properties respectively.
Geographic Distribution
72% of the rental stock surveyed was located in Dublin. In the capital, the discretionary rate can rise up to 50% above the standard level, compared with a 35% cap elsewhere.
Household Types Affected
No single‑person or couple households could find a standard‑rate HAP property. Discretionary‑rate options for singles were limited to 19 units in Dublin City North (nine), Dublin City South (seven) and Dublin City Centre (three). For families with one child, three unique discretionary units were identified, with an additional 11 overlapping properties.
Why It Matters
The charity says the findings underscore the ongoing difficulty for households reliant on HAP to secure private‑rental homes. With discretionary rates lagging behind rising rents, families and individuals outside the capital face an increasingly remote prospect of affordable housing.
Executive Director Ber Grogan warned that without adjustments, people may remain in “completely inappropriate, unsuitable accommodation” for longer periods.
She also highlighted short‑term lets as a lever for the government; tighter enforcement could potentially return thousands of units to the long‑term rental market.
Possible Next Steps
Policymakers could consider raising discretionary HAP rates to better align with market rents, particularly in regions where the shortfall is most acute. Strengthening regulation of short‑term lettings may also free up additional properties for long‑term tenancy, alleviating some of the current shortage.
If such measures are taken, they may improve access for HAP recipients and reinforce the programme’s preventive role. Conversely, without intervention, the gap between HAP limits and available rental stock is likely to widen further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were any properties available within standard HAP limits?
No. The survey found zero properties within standard HAP limits across the 16 areas examined.
What share of the total rental market did HAP‑eligible properties represent?
Only 31 properties met any HAP threshold, representing 3% of the 929 properties available for rent at the time of the study.
Which region had the highest concentration of HAP‑eligible homes?
Dublin held the majority, with 27 of the 31 HAP‑eligible properties located across its three surveyed areas.
What do you think should be the priority for addressing this housing gap?
