O’ROURKE INTRODUCES BILL TO BROADEN ACCESS TO HAP

Frank O’Rourke TD introduced a bill into the Dáil last night that seeks to allow families facing eviction access the HAP scheme sooner.

Frank commented, “This Bill aims to prevent families from entering homelessness, by making changes in access to HAP. As it stands, a family served with a tenancy termination notice can only access HAP as their eviction date looms. My Bill seeks to give families access to HAP at a much earlier stage of their notice period, thereby giving time to seek and secure alternative accommodation. As well as the social implications, my Bill also makes economic sense, as it costs the state significantly more to house families in emergency accommodation, than in a stable home assisted by HAP.”

You can see Frank speak in the Dáil here

O’ROURKE CALLS FOR INCREASE IN HAP PAYMENTS

Frank O’Rourke TD has called on the Government to increase the Housing Assistance Payments as the costs of renting increases.
“The low level of the supply of the housing units, is fuelling the rising cost of renting a home, and means that the current level of HAP funding is not enough, in many cases, for those seeking accommodation.”
“I know from my weekly clinics that our social housing list is rising most months. Kildare County Council’s housing waiting list has increased by nearly 1800 people in the last 12 months. The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need. However, the level of funds under this scheme is not enough.”

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