Simon Community Report Shows Zero HAP Properties In Two Midlands Towns

The report shows no accommodation in Portlaoise or Athlone.

Two Midlands towns still have no properties available to rent within the Housing Assistance Payment scheme limits.

The Simon Community's Locked Out of the Market report for March 2026 shows no accommodation currently fits its HAP criteria in Portlaoise and Athlone.

Outside of the scheme limits, ten more properties had been added to the rental market in Athlone since December 2025, with just one in Portlaoise.

It's the first report to be published since the new Residential Tenancies Bill came into law last month.

Ber Grogan, Executive Director at the Simon Communities of Ireland says the situation is still grim:

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