Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
23. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether a service (details supplied) and the housing assistance payment limits are fit for purpose considering the national policy of preventing homelessness; the new measures he plans to put in place to ensure that the number of persons in homelessness does not continue to increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55040/21]
View answerSupporting individuals and families at risk of homelessness is a key Government priority. ‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’, sets an ambitious objective of working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and outlines details on how the Government is approaching this challenge.
Housing for All commits to taking action to prevent entries into homelessness in the first instance and to help those experiencing homelessness to exit into secure and sustained tenancies. The overriding objective of Government is to provide homes through the various social housing supports available. If a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority.
Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment 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.
Additionally, households at risk of homelessness may be eligible for additional supports. To qualify for specific additional supports available to homeless households, a household must have been determined by the relevant local authority to be homeless within the meaning of section 2 of the Housing Act 1988. This is a targeted support for homeless households, who are finding it difficult to secure HAP tenancies, which provides all local authorities with the option to pay deposits and advance rental payments for any households in emergency homeless accommodation, or at risk of entering same, in order to secure accommodation through the HAP Scheme. The operation of local homeless services, including the Place Finder Service, is a matter for each local authority.
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. Under Housing for All, my Department will undertake an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.
The Homeless HAP Place Finder service is an important aid for homeless households or households who are at risk of homelessness. The Place Finder service has proven effective, with HAP accounting for approximately 72% of the exits from homelessness recorded so far in 2021.
