Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
234. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the upcoming changes that will allow the provision whereby single housing assistance payment tenants can access the couples rate will also apply for single persons in receipt of homeless HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35812/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am working with Government colleagues and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide for an increase in the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) discretion rate to 35% and for new tenancies to expand the couple’s rate to single persons where required. This will secure more tenancies and prevent new entries to homelessness.
The planned expansion of the couple’s rate to single persons for new HAP tenancies will also be available in new HAP tenancies for homeless households getting the additional Homeless HAP supports outside the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE).
Further details will be available shortly.
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.
