The number of properties available to rent for people on the HAP scheme is falling.

A report by the Simon Communities has found just 27 homes across 16 areas were affordable for those who receive the Housing Assistance Payment.

It's the lowest number since the homelessness charity first started producing its Locked Out of the Market report eight years ago.

Executive Director Wayne Stanley says the shortage is particularly dire outside of Dublin:

"Of the 16 areas we looked at, 9 of then had no properties available at all within a Housing Assistance Payment rate, even if the local authority uses its maximum discretion, and that's chronic unavailability.

"The vast majority of properties are available in the Dublin region, so, you know, Cork, Galway, Limerick. The dearth of available affordable properties is seen right across the country".

The Simon Communities says eight of the 16 areas had no properties available to rent that would be affordable under the HAP scheme, in any household category within standard or discretionary limits.

These were Cork City Centre, Cork City Suburbs, Galway City Suburbs, Co. Leitrim, Limerick City Suburbs, Limerick City Centre, Sligo Town and Portlaoise.

Three quarters of the properties were available in Dublin, where 673 properties were affordable under HAP rates.

Sligo had the lowest number of homes available, with just three properties available under HAP rates,. Portlaoise in Co Laois, had six properties available during the study period.

Nine of the 16 areas saw a decrease in the availability of properties to rent under HAP rates. These were Athlone, Cork City Centre, Dublin City North, Dublin City Centre, Dundalk, Galway City Suburbs, Galway City Centre, Limerick City Centre and Limerick City Suburbs.