A new report reveals a concerning decline in the availability of properties under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, exacerbating the challenges faced by low-income individuals seeking affordable housing.The Simon Communities of Ireland’s latest “Locked Out of the Market” report paints a grim picture of the rental landscape.

Key Findings: A Shrinking Market

• dramatic Decrease: Only 41 properties were available to rent within the discretionary HAP rate across 16 surveyed areas last month.
• Further decline: This represents an 11% decrease, or five fewer properties, since December 2024.
• Regional Disparities: Ten of the 16 surveyed areas had no HAP properties available.
• Dublin Dominance: The majority (31 of 41) of available properties are concentrated in Dublin,where a higher discretionary rate applies.
• Overall Supply Drop: The total rental market has also shrunk,with a 9% decrease in available properties in the first quarter of 2025,totaling just 1,119 properties at any price.

Regional Breakdown: Where Are the Properties?

The survey encompassed a diverse range of locations, including:

• Co Leitrim
• Athlone
• Cork city center and suburbs
• Galway city center
• Limerick city center and suburbs
• Sligo town
• Portlaoise
• Waterford city center

Sligo town and Portlaoise recorded the lowest number of available rental properties with just five and two properties respectively.

The dublin Effect: A Two-tier System?

The report highlights a notable disparity between Dublin and the rest of the country. While Dublin benefits from a higher discretionary HAP rate (up to 50% above the standard rate), other regions are capped at 35%. This disparity contributes to the concentration of HAP properties in the capital, effectively locking out potential tenants in other areas.

Expert Analysis: A “Deepening Crisis”

Ber Grogan, Executive Director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, emphasized the severity of the situation:

The report’s findings continue to highlight the deepening crisis in the private rental sector, especially for people on low incomes who rely on HAP supports.

ber Grogan, Executive Director, Simon Communities of Ireland

Ms. Grogan further elaborated on the geographical imbalance:

With most of the properties concentrated in Dublin,the vast majority of the country remains effectively locked out of the rental market.

Ber Grogan, Executive director, Simon Communities of ireland

She also pointed out the systemic failure:

ten of the 16 areas surveyed had no properties available within HAP limits, adding “that is not a housing system that’s working for those most in need”.

Ber Grogan, Executive Director, Simon Communities of Ireland

The challenges faced by HAP tenants outside of Dublin are particularly acute:

Outside of Dublin, she said that HAP tenants “face an uphill struggle with little to no access to suitable or affordable homes, with discretionary limits proving insufficient to meet current rental prices”.

Ber Grogan, Executive Director, Simon Communities of Ireland

Call to Action: Urgent Measures Needed

Ms. Grogan urged the government to take immediate action to address the crisis. Her recommendations include:

• Extending legislation on rent pressure zones for at least one year to give people some certainty while alternatives are being discussed.
• Increasing the supply of affordable and secure housing.
• Implementing targeted interventions to support those most in need.

According to Ms. Grogan, We urgently need an increased supply of affordable and secure housing,” she said, adding “targeted action is required now”.