COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 08, 2024

QUESTION NO.28

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive how much is paid out in HAP Payments throughout SDCC and what efforts are being made to reduce this cost to the Taxpayer?

REPLY:

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing for applicants approved as eligible for social housing supports. 

On 25^th March 2024, there were 2,577 active HAP tenancies which is a net decrease of 55 since the start of the year (figure takes account of ceased and new tenancies). All applicants are on the HAP transfer list with full access to Choice Based Letting (CBL).

In 2023, 120 applicants from the HAP transfer list were successful on CBL and were allocated tenancies in accordance with the Council’s Allocation Scheme. To date in 2024, 33 applicants have been allocated Council tenancies.

The Council delivered 650 new social homes through our own building programme, Part V agreements and in partnership with our AHB partners, in 2023.  Under our leasing programme 114 homes were delivered under our standard leasing and a further 151 homes under the targeted leasing initiative.

For 2024, we anticipate delivery of over 700 new homes across South Dublin through the various construction schemes and a further 120 homes under leasing initiatives. In addition, the Council has a target to acquire 140 homes under the Tenant in Situ Scheme.

The successful delivery of our housing building programme and the Tenant in Situ Scheme will enable more people to transfer from HAP properties into Council home, thus reducing the cost of HAP.