Only 12 properties were available to rent within Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limits across 16 surveyed areas in September, according to a new report from the Simon Communities of Ireland. The findings highlight the growing gap between rent levels and the support available to households seeking a home in Ireland.
Key findings from the latest Ireland housing report
The charity’s latest Locked Out of the Market report recorded 1,361 properties available to rent at any price across the areas surveyed on three dates during September. That total was 4 per cent higher than in June and 63 per cent above the figure recorded 12 months earlier.
However, the number of homes affordable within HAP limits remained extremely low. Just 12 properties met the relevant limits for different household types and local authority areas. Studios were excluded from the main HAP count, although the report identified 25 studio apartments within the limits during the survey period.
- Only 12 homes were available within HAP limits.
- One qualifying property was found for a single person or couple in Dublin city south.
- Eleven of the 16 locations had no qualifying properties.
- There were 1,361 homes available at any rental price across the surveyed areas.
Explore related housing and cost-of-living coverage at DailyDigest Ireland.
Where homes were unavailable within HAP limits
Eleven areas recorded no properties within the applicable HAP limits. They included Athlone, Cork city centre, Cork city suburbs, Limerick city centre, Sligo town, Portlaoise and Waterford city centre.
The report said that homes within HAP limits continue to be concentrated mainly in Dublin. Even there, availability varied sharply by location and household category. Dublin city south recorded one property for single-person or couple households within standard limits, while several Dublin areas experienced declines compared with the previous survey.
Sligo town had the lowest overall rental supply in the survey, with nine properties available across the three dates. That figure referred to homes available at any price rather than properties affordable through HAP.
What is HAP and why does it matter?
Housing Assistance Payment is a social housing support administered through local authorities. Under the scheme, the local authority pays the approved housing support directly to the landlord, while the tenant makes a contribution based on their circumstances.
To use HAP in the private rental market, the rent generally needs to fall within the limit set for the household type and the relevant local authority area. A household may therefore have an approved support payment but still struggle to find a landlord and property that meet the scheme’s requirements.
This distinction is central to the latest Breaking News Ireland around housing. The issue is not simply the number of homes advertised, but how many are realistically accessible to people who depend on public support.
Simon Communities calls for higher HAP limits
Simon Communities of Ireland executive director Ber Grogan said the organisation had expected the latest Budget to increase HAP limits, but no change was announced.
She said rents had risen substantially over the past decade while HAP limits had changed little. In the charity’s view, this has left households with housing support increasingly unable to compete in the private rental market.
The organisation described an increase in HAP limits as an immediate measure that could help eligible households access more homes. It also said the change would need to form part of a wider response to unaffordable rents and the shortage of rental supply.
Why the figures matter for Ireland’s housing crisis
The figures illustrate the pressure facing renters who rely on social housing supports. A rise in the number of properties advertised does not necessarily translate into more options for HAP households when asking rents remain above scheme thresholds.
The shortage can have practical consequences, including:
- Longer searches for suitable accommodation.
- Greater competition among tenants for a small number of affordable homes.
- Increased risk of homelessness when existing tenancies end.
- More pressure on local authorities and homelessness services.
- Reduced choice over location, size and proximity to work, schools or family.
The findings are also relevant to Ireland housing policy, the cost of living and public services. For people searching in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford or regional towns, the headline rental supply figure may not reflect the number of homes they can actually afford.
Find practical explainers on renting, housing assistance and household finances at NewsDigest Ireland.
What happens next?
The report places renewed attention on whether HAP limits reflect current market rents. Any decision to change the limits would be a matter for the Government and relevant housing authorities. It would not, by itself, resolve the wider shortage of rental homes, but it could expand the number of properties accessible to supported households.
Renters receiving or seeking HAP should continue to contact their local authority for current eligibility information, area limits and documentation requirements. Scheme conditions can vary by household circumstances and location.
Frequently asked questions
How many properties were available within HAP limits?
The Simon Communities report identified 12 properties within HAP limits across 16 surveyed areas in September. It separately counted 25 qualifying studio apartments, which were not included in the main total.
Which area had one qualifying property?
Dublin city south had one property available within standard HAP limits for a single person or couple household.
Did rental supply increase?
There were 1,361 properties available to rent at any price across the surveyed locations. This was higher than in the previous June survey and 12 months earlier, but affordable HAP-linked supply remained very limited.
What is the main concern raised by the report?
The central concern is that HAP limits have not kept pace with private rents, leaving households with approved support unable to find suitable accommodation within the scheme’s thresholds.
Conclusion
The latest Breaking News on Ireland’s rental market is clear: more homes may be advertised, but very few are affordable within HAP limits. With 12 qualifying properties found across 16 areas and no suitable homes in most locations, the report shows why housing support must be assessed against real market conditions. For renters and policymakers alike, the key takeaway is that availability at any price is not the same as access to a secure, affordable home.