HAP tenancies at risk amid spiralling rents and living costs, Focus Ireland warn

Mike Allen of Focus ireland

More families and individuals are facing eviction from Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) tenancies due to soaring rents, with an Oireachtas Committee hearing that the cost of living and the scrapping of the eviction embargo were also pushing people into emergency accommodation.

The Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage heard from Focus Ireland HAP levels were not keeping pace with costs including rent, with the situation highlighted by the 10% increase in family homelessness nationwide across 2021.