Two local areas were found to have no HAP properties according to a recent report. The Housing Assistance Payment is a social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need with the scheme being administered by local authorities, who pay the landlords directly. The latest Locked Out of the Market report from the Simon Communities found no HAP properties in 10 of the 16 areas it surveyed, including in Athlone and Co. Leitrim.
There were only 43 properties available to rent under the HAP scheme across the entire country in June. Executive Director of Simon, Wayne Stanley says a fund to build more social housing is needed urgently:
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