July will see an increase in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) discretion rate of up to 35%. This was confirmed by Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien at a recent FEANSTA conference. As such, local authorities can now pay up to 35% more than the current set HAP rates – which differs between local authorities. The Minister also announced that he would also be expanding the couple’s rate to single people.
This will apply to new HAP tenancies, and would secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness.
It has been established that local authorities can now purchase homes where tenants in receipt of Housing Assistance Payment are living, and whose landlords are selling the property.
The Simon Communities of Ireland said the increase in the discretionary rates was a recognition that they are not where they need to be. Head of Policy and Communications, Wayne Stanley, commented that any increase in discretion was welcome, but added that the Minister had not mentioned the homeless HAP rates and said people who were in an emergency situation are in need of market rates.
Homeless HAP is a specific payment a local authority can give to someone who is at imminent risk of homelessness to buy themselves into the private rental market.
It is believed that there are currently over 60,000 people across the country in receipt of HAP.
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