HAP system ‘not working’ as only one payment approved in Meath in month of September
Only one Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) application was approved in Meath during the month of September, prompting warnings from councillors that the system is “not working” and that families are being pushed closer to homelessness.
According to a recent management report presented to councillors at the November meeting of Meath County Council, 143 applications for social housing were made in September, with 50 approved and 39 unsuccessful. However, just one of those approvals was under the HAP scheme — a figure described by councillors as “deeply troubling”.
At the meeting, Fiona Fallon, Director of Services for Housing, attributed the low number to the scarcity of available rental properties and the HAP rent levels offered to landlords.
“Unfortunately, there was only one HAP approved during September, and that is down to the availability of rental properties and the HAP levels paid to landlords,” Ms Fallon said.
She added that there are currently around 12,000 homes in the HAP scheme across the county — a significant decrease on last year’s figures.
“It’s the situation we are working through at the moment, and we continue to engage with people who are looking for HAP properties,” she said.
Speaking after the meeting, Sinn Féin councillor Helen Meyer said the statistics highlight “serious failings” in housing policy.
“This is a troubling statistic and illustrates that the HAP system is not working properly,” she said. “The lack of affordable properties approved for HAP will push many individuals and families into homelessness. The situation is critical, with no solutions in sight.”
She described the crisis as “a direct result of the government’s long-standing failed housing policies”, warning that “the everyday person is suffering the consequences of this failure”.
Cllr Maria White (SF) said that while the figures showed only one HAP approval, there were also 87 homeless households in Meath in the same month — a number that does not include those couch surfing or living in overcrowded accommodation.
“There are several possible reasons for this shocking statistic — housing supply issues, administrative delays, exorbitant rents and strict HAP rent limits,” she said.
Cllr White said she has heard from applicants who are frustrated by delays in processing applications, with some being asked to resubmit the same documents multiple times and missing out on properties as a result.
She also pointed to soaring rents as a major obstacle.
“Rents are so high they almost always exceed HAP rent limits, which are set at national level by the Department of Housing. Local authorities can do very little about that,” she said.
While increasing rent limits may provide temporary relief, she said the real solution lies in building more affordable homes.
“Increasing HAP rent limits alone is not the answer. The building of social and affordable housing needs to become the government’s primary focus.
"The Minister needs to listen to all stakeholders and work harder than any Minister ever has, with the greatest sense of urgency one can imagine. The Minister needs to eat, sleep, and drink solving the housing crisis,” she added.