HAP tenants' payments 'alarmingly high', says Guirke

HAP and RAS tenants in Westmeath have to pay significantly more than their counterparts in Dublin and many other parts of the country.

That’s according to a new report by the ESRI, which revealed that Westmeath’s 3,271 Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and 143 RAS tenants’ contributions towards their rent is a lot more than it is in many other counties.

Under the RAS and HAP schemes, tenants in Westmeath and the rest of the country have to make a weekly contribution towards the cost of their rent – however, the ESRI report, Low Income Renters and Housing Supports, has found that there are huge differences in the amounts that tenants have to pay.

For example, a lone parent in Westmeath with two children and an annual assessable income of €25,000 has to make a monthly "differential rent" payment of €379, compared to €226 in South Dublin or €290 in Cavan.

Deputy Johnny Guirke (SF) says that Westmeath’s households are among the hardest hit.

"The price difference for low income earners in County Westmeath compared to other local authorities is alarming. We need to see a rise in upper HAP limits and income evaluations, which will at least help some families live a little bit better than they are currently doing.

"The last HAP limit change came back in 2017 and given the rise in rental markets it should be reviewed every two to three years. Income limits have not been changed in over 10 years – the last was 2011.

"If those rent limits were increased, it would certainly help many low income families deal with the current crises for Electricity, Fuel, Food which many households find themselves in."

The ESRI found that almost 300,000 or 54 per cent of all renters receive some for of state support towards their housing costs.

Deputy Guirke says that more needs to be done to help families. "The long-term solution is to build homes, which will take many of these families off the state supports bill, as we pay over half a billion euro now to private landlords."

When contacted by the Westmeath Examiner, Westmeath County Council said:

"Westmeath County Council is satisfied that the Differential Rent Scheme which it operates, is fair and proportionate and is not materially different to neighbouring counties.”