"They have the same access to ... roughly the same housing, although in the Republic, a person on the dole is expected to contribute €30 a week towards their housing costs." sez Brendan, which is untrue and misleading.
A person qualifying for social housing is expected to pay the difference between the rent demanded by the private sector landlord and the locally approved HAP from the local authority or SW housing assistance, PLUS the €30 euro weekly minimum contribution.
For example, (Rent €140 pw) - (HAP €102 pw) = €38 pw payable by SW recipient directly to the landlord (HAP is payable to landlord, SW housing assistance is not) PLUS the €30 minimum contribution to LA or SW. NOTE: €30 is the MINIMUM contribution it may be higher depending on individual circumstances.
So in this simple example, the SW recipient/HAP approved renter pays €68 pw in total, NOT €30 Brendan incorrectly suggest, but more than double that amount
There are of course a few caveats.
A person qualifying for social housing is expected to pay the difference between the rent demanded by the private sector landlord and the locally approved HAP from the local authority or SW housing assistance, PLUS the €30 euro weekly minimum contribution.
For example, (Rent €140 pw) - (HAP €102 pw) = €38 pw payable by SW recipient directly to the landlord (HAP is payable to landlord, SW housing assistance is not) PLUS the €30 minimum contribution to LA or SW. NOTE: €30 is the MINIMUM contribution it may be higher depending on individual circumstances.
So in this simple example, the SW recipient/HAP approved renter pays €68 pw in total, NOT €30 Brendan incorrectly suggest, but more than double that amount
There are of course a few caveats.
- SW use their rent assistance as a cap on rent so SW recipients are not allowed to rent houses/apartments above this very low figure. I challenge anyone to find a rental property in Ireland at or below SW caps / HAP
- The rental figure is modest and the HAP figure is generous
- Find a landlord willing to accept HAP