Just 12 rental properties available within HAP limits nationwide, report finds

Just 12 properties were available to rent within the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme (HAP) limits in September, according to the Simon Communities of Ireland.

Simon Communities have published their quarterly Locked Out of the Market report, finding 1,361 properties available to rent at any price across 16 areas surveyed.

There were no properties available at all within HAP limits in 11 of the 16 study areas, including Athlone, Cork City, Cork City Suburbs, Sligo Town, Portlaoise, Limerick City and Waterford.

This is the third Locked Out of the Market report since the new Residential Tenancies Act 2026 came into effect, and it has consistently shown that the majority of HAP properties were located in Dublin.

Just two of the 13 areas outside of Dublin had properties available within HAP limits; these were Dundalk with three properties and Kildare with two.

Ber Grogan, Executive Director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: “We had hoped that Budget 2027 would finally deliver the long-awaited increase to HAP limits, but once again, there has been no change.

“Over the last ten years, rents have risen dramatically, becoming unaffordable for many households, while there’s been little change to HAP. As a result, people who rely on HAP are increasingly locked out of the private rental market, unable to secure a home they can afford despite having housing support in place. We see the impact of this every single day, across the country.

“Increasing HAP limits would be an immediate, practical step the Government could take to help people access housing. It is time for the Government to listen, act and ensure HAP reflects the reality of today’s rental market, while addressing the wider problem of unaffordable rents.”

Dermot, one of Simon’s service users in the Mid West region, said: “It’s never going to be enough. I don’t see myself ever moving into private rented.”