Major UK artist set to perform in Limerick's Thomond Park next summer | Picture: Adrian Butler
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28 Oct 2025
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28 Oct 2025
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Simon report highlights an extreme scarcity of rental properties within HAP limits in Limerick
No properties were available for rent in Limerick City or its surrounding suburbs using the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), according to a survey conducted by The Simon Community on Daft.ie over three days in September.
The last time the Simon Community found a Limerick property affordable using HAP was four surveys ago in December 2024 - where just one property was available in three days.
At of last Thursday, there were 27 properties in Limerick City available for rent in total - with the cheapest advertised at €1,400 for a room.
Rory Hearne, The Social Democrats Spokesman for Housing released a statement on the findings: “Shockingly, there were no HAP eligible properties in 11 of the 16 areas surveyed, including Cork city, Galway, Limerick, Sligo and Waterford.”
“Where exactly are people in these areas supposed to live? Of the 24 properties available within HAP limits, 21 were in Dublin.”
Read More: Money sent back to Limerick woman who tried repeatedly to pay a speeding fine
The TD went on to say: “There are almost 60,000 households relying on HAP to put a roof over their heads.”
The Simon Community’s Locked Out of the Market report revealed: “The number of properties available to rent at any price has also reduced over the same period. This report comes in the context of a private rental sector characterised by unaffordability, volatility, and an overall lack of supply.”
HAP is a local authority payment done on a tenants’ behalf to the landlord. The payment is conditional on rent limits and other terms and conditions.
The tenant pays a weekly contribution towards the rent to the local authority. The rent contribution is means tested. HAP is designed for people on low incomes and / or who may be at risk of homelessness.
According to the latest figures published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as of August 2025 there were 16,353 people living in emergency accommodation across the country, including 5,145 children. This represents a 12% and 16% year-on-year increase, respectively.
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