Carrick councillor critical of housing scheme

Photo © Tipp FM

Tipperary County Council is being warned that the HAP housing scheme is a ticking time bomb waiting to blow particularly in Carrick on Suir.

The local authority in the Premier County has the highest success rate outside Dublin with the scheme whereby the council pays the rent directly to the landlord while the tenant has security of tenure for up to 2 years.

Its just one of the many measures being taken to try and reduce the county’s housing waiting lists which also includes the construction of new homes, property purchases as well as leasing and renovating schemes.

However Carrick FF Councillor Kieran Bourke feels HAP – the Housing Assistance Payment provides a false since of security for tenants

The council has strongly refuted this and Senior housing official Sean Lonergan says the scheme ensures they know who needs housing.