The hardest part of HAP when you are homeless is the money up front: a deposit and the first month's rent. That is exactly what the Place Finder Service is for. Ring the homeless section of your council and ask for it by name.
Quick facts
- Who it is for
- Homeless, or at immediate risk
- What it pays
- Deposit and rent in advance
- Where
- Every local authority area
- Dublin extra
- Up to 50% above HAP rent limits
- Your welfare
- Stays the same when homeless
The Place Finder Service
"A Homeless HAP Place Finder Service is available in all local authority areas." It is for households who are homeless, or about to be, and are struggling to find a landlord who takes HAP.
"Your local authority can help with the deposit or advance rental payments needed to get accommodation under the HAP scheme."
Ask your council's homeless section. In Dublin, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive runs it for all four councils.
Homeless HAP in Dublin: higher rent limits
In Dublin the councils can pay more than the usual HAP limit. "Homeless HAP means these local authorities can go up to 50% above the HAP rent limits for homeless households, if this is needed to secure suitable accommodation".
Outside Dublin, standard HAP still has some give on a case-by-case basis for households who cannot find a home within the limits.
Other routes out of homelessness
- Housing First: a long-term home with ongoing support for people with complex needs, such as long-term rough sleepers. The homeless services refer you.
- Transitional housing: time-limited, usually 6 months to 2 years, with help to prepare for living on your own.
- Long-term supported housing: for people who could not live fully independently.
- Settlement services: help to move in and to keep the home afterwards.
Your payments while homeless
"Your right to social welfare payments does not change if you are homeless." You apply in the normal way.
An Additional Needs Payment can help with clothing, travel, a rent deposit or setting up a home. Ask the Community Welfare Officer at any Intreo Centre.
No fixed address? An Post's free address point service gives you a personal postal address to collect your post from a post office you choose.
Who to ring
- Your council's homeless section, for emergency accommodation and the Place Finder Service
- Sleeping rough in Dublin: the Dublin Region Assertive Street Outreach Service, 01 872 0185
- About to lose a rented home: Threshold's Tenancy Protection Service, 1800 454 454
- Money help: the Community Welfare Service, 0818 607080
Common questions
What is the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service?
A council service, available in every local authority area, that helps homeless households or those at immediate risk to find a HAP tenancy. It can help with the deposit and rent in advance.
How much above the HAP limit can Homeless HAP pay?
In Dublin, up to 50% above the HAP rent limits for homeless households, where this is needed to secure suitable accommodation.
Who can get Housing First?
People who are homeless and have complex needs, such as people sleeping rough or who have been in emergency accommodation for a long time. You are referred by your local homelessness services.
Do I lose my social welfare payment if I become homeless?
No. Your right to social welfare payments does not change if you are homeless.
How do I get post with no address?
Register for An Post's free address point service, which gives you a personal address and collection point at a post office you choose.