There were no properties available under the HAP rental scheme in 10 out of 16 areas around the country in June.
A new Simon Communities report says only 43 properties were available to rent within the discretionary rate of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme.
That is an increase of five properties since March.
The report found 1,178 properties were available to rent at any price within the 16 areas surveyed over dates in June - a 26% increase from the 934 properties available in June 2023.
In 10 of the 16 areas, however, there were no properties available to rent in any household category within standard or discretionary HAP limits.
These were:
- Athlone
- Cork City Centre
- Cork City Suburbs
- Galway City Suburbs
- Galway City Centre
- County Leitrim
- Limerick City Centre
- Sligo Town
- Portlaoise
- Waterford City Centre
The report says the supply of properties within HAP limits are predominantly in Dublin, with 40 of the total 43 HAP properties found in the capital.
The discretionary rate in Dublin allows up to an additional 50% on the standard rate; this is limited to 35% elsewhere in the country.
Just three properties were available within standard HAP limits across the 16 areas.
Two of these properties were in Dublin City North and the other property was in Dundalk, County Louth.
Properties available under the HAP scheme. Source: Simon CommunitiesPortlaoise had the lowest number of properties available to rent with just four properties available across the three days surveyed.
Although the total number of properties available to rent increased since March, five of the 16 study areas saw a reduction in the number of properties available.
The report shows only 43 properties were available to rent under the scheme countrywide.
Simon Executive Director Wayne Stanley said the availability of property outside of Dublin was particularly bad.
"We are seeing a lack of properties across various counties but as in previous reports it is notably evident outside of Dublin," he said.
"While the majority of those in homeless emergency accommodation are in the Dublin region, the rate of growth in many of the other regions is increasing.
"Budget 2025 must see investment in solutions. Those solutions should include increased investment in social and affordable housing, laying the groundwork for the implementation of the housing commission recommendations.
"We also need to see increased investment in prevention and more supports to those in homelessness, to ensure that the physical and mental impact of homelessness are addressed," he added.
The Locked Out of the Market report looked at the availability of homes to rent over a three-day period in June.
