Out of 532 properties available to rent in Ireland, 493 of them were above the HAP/Rent Supplement limits with only 39 available within the limits of the four categories of household, according to a study by a homeless charity.

The Simon Communities' 'Locked Out of the Market X' reports revealed just 7% of rental properties surveyed across 11 areas are priced within the reach of households receiving Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rent Supplement.

Spokesperson for Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, said: "The results of the survey highlighted how single people and couples are at a distinct disadvantage with only three properties across the eleven locations available to rent falling within HAP/ rent supplement limits for a single person and only three available for couples.

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"The report also indicates that Athlone, Galway City Centre, Portlaoise and Limerick City had no available properties for rent across all categories. A record low.

"Private rented sector subsidised accommodation is out of reach for a lot of citizens and it is pushing people into homelessness.

"Government policy is wedded to the idea that HAP is an ideal housing solution for those in social housing need. It is not. It offers no security of tenure to tenants and is not a sustainable social housing solution.

"Social housing needs are met by delivering real council homes owned by local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies.

"Increasing the supply of real social housing units is the only way to adequately tackle this crisis. Unfortunately this is taking far too long.

"A short term solution that would provide some relief those in the private rented sector is real rent certainty and sufficient security of tenure."

(CD/LM)