207 households currently in emergency accommodation in Meath

New figures show that there are currently 207 households in emergency accommodation in Meath amid calls for an overhaul of the of the housing assistance payment (HAP) scheme.

It comes as a recent report found that just 27 homes were available to rent within the limits of the scheme in September out of more than 900 rental properties assessed by homelessness charity Simon.

The Simon Communities of Ireland’s quarterly Locked Out of the Market report found a decrease in the number of properties advertised with rents at or below qualification for the HAP housing benefit, down from 33 in June of this year.

This represents the lowest number of properties available under HAP since the charity began its assessment of the scheme’s performance in June 2015.

According to figures provided by Meath County Council there are currently 1,780 households availing of HAP scheme in Meath.

207 households are currently in emergency accommodation in the county with a total of 3,588 applicants on the social housing list.

Navan Sinn Fein Cllr Eddie Fennesy says HAP rates are completely out of sync with current rental rates in the private sector.

"Every demographic is effected, more so people with a disability and pensioners who are usually placed on the one bed list," he said.

"A one bed social housing applicant qualifies for €945 per month in rental assistance, that figure includes a discretionary top up of 35%. Sustainable tenancy regulations come into effect on rents above that qualifying rate and in most cases €1050 is the maximum rent a 1 bed applicant is approved for.

"The average cost of renting a 1 bed property in Navan today is €1,600. One bed applicants make up 50% of the entire housing list in Navan. Of the 13,000 homeless people in this state, 60% of them are 1 bed applicants."

Fennessy pointed out that here are also major affordability problems with two and three bed properties in Meath.

"Two beds properties are renting at up to €2,000 per month. Whilst three bed properties rent at between €2,000 and €2,500 per month. HAP rates for 2 and 3 bed applicants, inclusive of the 35% top up is €1,316 and €1,485 respectively."

The Navan councillor noted that there were currently 49 properties to rent on Daft in Meath with just 14 of them within HAP rates."Five of them however, are studio properties with no bath or cooking facilities," he added.

"Rental options are pretty grim. The only solution to the housing crisis is for the state to engage in a large scale social and affordable house building programme. That programme needs to be targeted and better managed to meet demand and deliver housing for those most in need."

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said:

"HAP rates are set out by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.

"Those households at risk of or in homelessness may avail of Place Finder HAP which provides additional financial and related supports."In 2023, 66 households have been supported by Meath County Council through the Place Finder Service. 27 households were supported to exit homelessness and 39 households were supported as a preventative measure.

"If you are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, you can contact the Homeless Service Unit directly at 046-9097297 (option 3) and you will be offered an appointment with our Settlement Officers."