With rents continuing to rise in Galway, some hope for those receiving Housing Assistance Payment came with news that the Government is looking into the possibility of giving the HAP rate in Galway the same flexibility as in Dublin.
Currently, the Galway City Council can only agree to a flexibility of 20 per cent, whereas the rate in Dublin is 50 per cent. However, the Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien, this week informed Sinn Féin Galway West TD, Mairéad Farrell, that a review, looking at whether an increase in the level of flexibility available to local authorities under HAP is needed, is being considered.
“HAP has clearly failed to combat homelessness,” said Dep Farrell. “Far more supply is needed, as well as a ban on rent increases. However, as HAP is what the Government is currently using to combat the rise in homelessness, it must take every single action under its remit. One such action would be to allow the Galway HAP the same 50 per cent flexibility that is given in Dublin.”
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Dep Farrell [pictured above] is calling on the Department of Housing to “act quickly” as rent and homelessness is continuing to rise in Galway.
“We have seen rents in the west skyrocket and no additional measures have been brought in by the Government to address this,” she said. “I am pleading with the Department to allow the Galway HAP the same payment flexibility as Dublin, because it is time for the Government to recognise that the housing crisis is Statewide.”
