Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2017
39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for the roll-out of a fully staffed full-time place finder service for those looking for a home; when it will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45300/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme administered by my Department plays a vital role in housing eligible families and individuals. There are currently more than 28,500 households having their housing needs met via HAP and some 20,000 landlords or agents currently in receipt of HAP payments. A weekly average of 350 HAP tenancies have been set up during 2017.
HAP is also an essential component of our suite of homelessness prevention and supports. The Homeless Pilot of the HAP scheme has been operational since February 2015 across the four housing authorities in the Dublin Region, and is being implemented through the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE). The focus of this pilot scheme is to transition qualified households from emergency accommodation, including hotels, into private rented tenancies. A Place Finder service, similar to the service available in Dublin, became operational in Cork City Council earlier this year and provides a dedicated resource that operates together with the established HAP delivery team in the local authority. The Cork Placefinder Service seeks potential properties suitable for households currently identified as homeless by Cork City Council by establishing relationships with local property agents and landlords and liaising with individual households to establish their specific needs; and also supports homeless households in securing the tenancy arrangements which may include assisting with tenancy agreements and arrangements in that context. More than 2,000 formerly homeless households are currently having their housing needs met through this targeted support. On average, 33 homeless households each week in the Dublin region alone are securing rental accommodation as a result of the additional supports available through the dedicated Place Finder Service.
I announced recently that the Place Finder support is to be rolled out nationally providing homeless support staff in each of the 31 local authorities with the tools to target HAP supported rental properties for homeless households, with a particular focus of moving families out of emergency accommodation. This means that every local authority will be able to pay deposits and advance rental payment on behalf of homeless households in order to secure accommodation. The existing Place Finder service in Dublin is also being enhanced, with additional staff to be assigned to provide on the ground support in each of the relevant local authority areas. Arrangements for the provision of these supports are currently being progressed by my Department together with the local authorities and I envisage that the Place Finder service will be operational nationally by end year.
Budget 2018 has seen a doubling of the total allocation for HAP to over €300 million, which will enable an additional 17,000 households to be supported and accommodated in 2018, as well as meeting the 2018 costs of households already supported by the scheme in 2017 and in previous years, as well as supporting the roll-out of the HAP Place Finder Support Service across the country.
My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. In general, I am satisfied with the operation of HAP and I consider it to be a key vehicle for meeting housing need and fulfilling the ambitious programme outlined under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
