Thomas Gould
Question:783. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider publishing the review into housing assistance payments [41613/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
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Written answers
The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while the supply of social housing increases.
Under Housing for All, my Department was tasked with undertaking an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required. The Housing Agency undertook to carry out this analytical exercise on behalf of my Department to better understand what level of discretion should be made available to Local Authorities under HAP to maintain adequate levels of support.
Following receipt and analysis of this review, I, in cooperation with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, have now approved an increase in the HAP discretion rate from 20% to 35% and for new tenancies to extend the couple’s rate to single person households. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness. Both these measures came into effect from 11 July 2022.
A separate review of the discretion available to Homeless HAP tenancies in Dublin, which is up to 50% above the prescribed maximum rent limits, is currently being undertaken by my Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency.
While the analysis of the homeless HAP discretion limits is underway, it would not be appropriate to consider the publication of the HAP discretion report, as it is continuing to form part of the ongoing deliberative process.