H.A.P. Housing Assistance Payment

What is H.A.P.? New form of Social Housing Support introduced under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. To replace Rent Supplement for households with long term need. Short term cases stay on Rent Supplement. Housing authority (L.A.) is now responsible for ALL households where housing need is determined.

Why H.A.P? Transfer responsibility for the provision of rental assistance to those with a long term housing need from Department of Social Protection to Local Authorities. All forms of social housing to be administered by one body - the Local Authority, which will result in a more integrated and streamlined social housing sector. Rent Supplement was never meant to be a long term payment and will now return to fulfilling its original intention of being a short term income support scheme. HAP recipients can work full-time and remain in HAP.

H.A.P. – Policy Objectives Integrated Housing Supports – all processed through the Local Authority. Better management of rental payments. Improve quality of accommodation – properties are inspected by L.A.’s Better regulation of the rented sector Facilitates “activation” – return to work full time without losing Housing Support.

H.A.P Eligibility Any household that is qualified for social housing support is eligible for HAP Four main cohorts of household are to be addressed with the introduction of HAP: Long term rent supplement recipients – referred from DSP and to be transferred to HAP on phased basis. Existing households on housing list who may present to the local authority seeking HAP. New social housing applicants who wish to apply for HAP Rent supplement recipients changing tenancies.

H.A.P. – how it works Tenant to source own accommodation - within HAP rent limits for household size & type. Contract is between Landlord and Tenant only i.e. no contractual relationship between the Local Authority and the landlord. Landlord paid every month directly by Limerick City & County Council (a transactional Shared Service Centre known as “The Hub”) Tenant pays a “differential rent contribution” in accordance with Longford County Council‘s differential rent scheme. This amount is deducted at source using Household Budget Deduction or Standing Order. Once in HAP accommodation, housing needs are met and clients are removed from the Housing Waiting List, however, recipient has option to be placed on transfer list. All H.A.P. properties are subject to inspections which are arranged by the Local Authority. These inspections must be carried out within 8 months of tenant moving in.

H.A.P application process Applicant applies to Housing Section for Housing Support - determine housing eligibility & appropriate solution . If recommendation is for HAP, the applicant will be issued with HAP application form (Section A = tenant details and Section B = Landlord details) and HAP information pack. Applicant must source own accommodation. Once accommodation has been arranged applicant must submit completed Section A and Section B of HAP form with all supporting documentation, e.g. TCC, Proof of Ownership, Bank details) to HAP Unit. Application is not valid until all requested details are received.

H.A.P application process (cont.) Once application is validated a meeting is arranged with applicant to confirm responsibilities under HAP and have necessary documents signed, e.g. Household Budget Form/Standing Order Form, Rent Contribution agreement. All details and documents are entered onto IT system (Sugar) for processing by The Hub. “The Hub” will administer all HAP Landlord payments, Tenant contributions paid to Hub. Hub also responsible for debt management / follow up non payment of rent contribution, etc.

Comparison between Rent Supplement and H.A.P R.S. Tenant sources own accommodation Tenant pays landlord Maximum of 29 working hours Withdrawal rate of supplement May be on the Housing List H.A.P Tenant sources own accommodation Limerick Hub pays landlord Can work full-time Tenant pays differential rent (income based rent) Housing need is met

H.A.P. - Tenant Must source suitable property within HAP rent caps (generally equivalent to Rent Supplement limits). Must pay differential rent to the local authority (Limerick) through Household Budget Scheme (rent deducted at source if welfare payment being received at Post Office) / Standing Order. If rent charged by Landlord is above the cap, then the Tenant is responsible for paying the difference directly to the Landlord. Expected to remain in the property for a period of 2 yrs. Must not engage in anti-social behaviour (immediate cessation of Local Authority rent payments to Landlord).

H.A.P. - Landlord Tenancy will be “in good faith”. Tenancy must be registered with the RTB (Residential Tenancies Board). Landlord must complete Part B of application form and provide proof of ownership of property Landlord must be tax compliant - Requirement to submit tax clearance certificate within a period of 5 months of the first payment or before payments to the landlord exceed €10,000 in 12 month period, whichever is sooner. Property must comply with the standards for rental accommodation. L.A. obliged to inspect properties within 8 months.

H.A.P - Challenges Tax compliance Proof of Ownership Private Rental inspections Paid in arrears

H.A.P. – Longford County Council Introduced 1st December 2016. Applications so far: 3 - applications completed 1 - referred to Limerick Hub 1 - Open Property inspections to be arranged for 2017.

Thank You