Just one home in Dundalk falls within HAP limits
Report finds zero properties affordable under standard HAP limits in Dundalk
A new report from the Simon Communities of Ireland has highlighted the severe lack of affordable rental options in Dundalk for households relying on State supports.
The latest “Locked Out of the Market” snapshot study, which examines rental listings on Daft.ie over a three-day period in March 2026, found that just one property in Dundalk was available within Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) limits.
According to the report, an average of 15 properties per day were available to rent in Dundalk during the study period. However, only a single property met HAP thresholds, and that was under discretionary limits, not standard rates.
No properties were available within standard HAP limits for any household type.
The sole qualifying property was suitable for a couple with one child.
Rental prices in Dundalk continue to exceed what HAP tenants can afford. The study found:
- Two-bedroom homes ranged from €1,300 to €2,000 per month
- Three-bedroom homes ranged from €1,800 to €2,500 per month
The situation has worsened compared to previous months. Dundalk saw a drop in total rental listings from 17 in December 2025 to 15 in March 2026 and a fall in HAP-supported properties from two to one over the same period
This mirrors a national trend, with the report noting a 55% drop in HAP-eligible properties across all surveyed areas since December.
While Dublin accounts for the majority of HAP-supported properties, availability outside the capital remains extremely limited. Dundalk was one of just three non-Dublin areas where any HAP property was found.
Nationally, only 14 properties—just 1% of all listings—were within HAP limits, underlining what the Simon Communities describe as a deepening affordability crisis.
The report highlights how many tenants relying on HAP are being pushed into paying “top-ups” directly to landlords due to the widening gap between rent levels and State supports.
With homelessness continuing to rise nationwide, the organisation warns that the lack of affordable rental supply is placing increasing pressure on low-income households, including families in towns like Dundalk.