New research from the Simon Communities of Ireland shows there has been an increase in the availability of rental properties around the country, but issues remain with the number that are covered by Housing Assistance Payments.
The 'Locked Out of the Market' report is carried out on a quarterly basis, to look at the availability of rental properties at various locations. The latest data shows a total of 934 apartments and houses were available in the 16 areas checked last month.
That is an increase of 39% in the number of properties for rent, compared to the last survey in March.
But only 50 of those were available within standard or discretionary Housing Assistance Payment rates.
Simon Communities says none of the properties it checked in nine locations, including Athlone, Cork, Galway, Sligo or Waterford, could be rented within HAP limits.
Portlaoise remains the place with the lowest availability, with just one rental property listed there, during the time the research was carried out.
In contrast, almost three quarters of places to rent at any price, were located in Dublin.
The organisation says a "chronic lack of affordable accommodation" is having a detrimental impact on people’s ability to find a stable and secure home.
Executive Director Wayne Stanley said the findings were "a stark reminder of the disheartening difficulties that those experiencing homelessness face, as they seek a way out of homelessness, through the private rental market."
The report looked at the availability of homes to rent over a three-day period in June.
The study considers the availability of properties within both the standard and discretionary HAP limits in 16 areas, for four household categories.
