Accommodation for refugees and people given leave to remain in Ireland

Convention refugees and people given leave to remain

If you have been granted refugee status or leave to remain and you have been living in a Direct Provision accommodation centre, you will have to leave that centre and move into other accommodation. This other accommodation will most likely be in the private rented sector, which you will have to find yourself. You can now move to live in any part of the country you wish. If you were already living in private rented accommodation, your change of status will not affect your immediate housing circumstances.

If you live in accommodation in the private rented sector you can have most of your rent paid by your local Department of Social Protection's representative (formerly known as the Community Welfare Officer) through a rent supplement if you do not have the means to pay for the rent yourself. When you find a house or flat to rent you should apply to the Department's representative for a rent supplement - see 'Where to apply' below.

You should register at the office of your local authority to go on the waiting list for housing. The local authorities have a number of housing options depending on your income level and housing need.

If you find yourself homeless at any point, that is, if you have no accommodation and no money to pay for it, you are entitled to seek emergency accommodation from your local Department of Social Protection's representative. The Department’s representative will organise emergency accommodation in a hostel or bed and breakfast for you. If you are living in Dublin, the Department’s representative at the Asylum Seekers Unit will do this. Threshold, a voluntary organisation, provides support to non-Irish nationals who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or who need advice on finding accommodation or their housing rights.

If you have sufficient finance and a regular income, you can apply for a mortgage to buy a house.