Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
365. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 14 May 2024, the reason HAP tenants who avail of inter-authority movement can only be offered access to the transfer list of the originating local authority; and if he will consider issuing a circular to allow for flexibility and discretion around this for local authorities. [22916/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe flexibility of HAP as a social housing support is one of the scheme’s key characteristics. Households eligible for social housing support are provided with the opportunity to avail of HAP in any local authority area; subject to the current Social Housing Eligibility Income Bands or confirmation that the applicants’ income is below the threshold in the new local authority.
Where a household currently on a local authority waiting list wishes to access rented accommodation with HAP support in another local authority area, this can be facilitated subject to a number of principles, including that the household continues to be dealt with by the originating local authority and are subject to the originating local authority differential rent scheme, scheme of letting priorities and transfer list.
HAP tenants who avail of inter-authority movement can only be offered access to the transfer list in their originating local authority where they are currently on the waiting list.
Households should apply for social housing support from the local authority in whose area they see their long term housing needs being met. Should a household who is already on a local authority’s waiting list wish to source HAP supported rented accommodation in a local authority outside of the allowable inter-authority movement principles, the household would be required to be reassessed for social housing support in the new local authority area.
The practical operation of transfer lists is a matter for each local authority to manage, on the basis of their own scheme of letting priorities. The making of such schemes is a reserved function of the local authority and as such is a matter for the elected members.
