Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
451. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities can in certain cases classify an individual in receipt of HAP as a couple and then add the 35% discretionary increase to their rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34936/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Government's Housing Plan, 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 the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) was required. The Housing Agency carried 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, NDP Review and Reform, 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.
Each local authority, therefore, has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 35% 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 should be noted that it is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the discretion is warranted on a case by case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.
The review identified that the household type with the largest proportion of tenancies in receipt of discretion are single person households. In addition, these households are, on average, among those requiring the highest levels of discretion. To further assist this cohort, local authorities may apply a couple rate to a new single person tenancy, where required. This additional measure specifically addresses the challenges experienced by single person households and the fact that both single and couple households have a one-bed need.
Recognising that newer tenancies are at a higher cost than those tenancies already in place, this measure will apply to new tenancies only. Single person tenancies already in place may request a rent review, with local authorities now in a position to amend the level of discretion up to 35%.
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.
