Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
334. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the circumstances under which cost rental tenants may be eligible to access the housing assistance payment. [19362/23]
View answerThe core objective of Cost Rental is to offer moderate-income households the choice of a more affordable and stable form of tenure. Cost Rental is not social housing and is designed to assist middle-income households, who do not qualify for social housing supports such as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), but who are facing affordability pressures on the private rental market. Cost Rental is a major step forward in providing much-needed affordable rental options to those households with incomes above the limits set for social housing.
Section 34(1) in Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 means the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) cannot be availed of for a Cost Rental home, at least initially. The idea of preventing those who are in receipt of HAP from transferring into Cost Rental homes is to ensure that the target cohort of middle-income households, currently not receiving any supports for their housing needs, can be accommodated in this new housing tenure.
However, in recognition of the potential changes in household circumstances that can occur during a tenancy, Section 34(1) also provides that HAP can be available to Cost Rental tenants after the tenancy has lasted for more than six months. This acknowledges the objective that costs are covered by rents, thereby securing the financial future of the model, while at the same time making Cost Rental a secure long-term accommodation option for households whose circumstances may change.
