A National Implementation Framework, to support the Government’s National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011–2016 has been launched today whichsets out a range of priority actions to support people with disabilities to live in communities as independently as possible by providing mainstream assessment of housing need and appropriate housing solutions.
The framework reflects the recommendations of A Vision for Change and the Report of the Congregated Settings Working Group in relation to the phased movement, over the next seven years, of almost 5,000 people with intellectual, physical and mental health disabilities from institutions to community living.
According to Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch TD, who launched the framework alongside Minister for Housing & Planning, Jan O’Sullivan TD, €1m is to be made available in 2013 to support a programme of transition to support those moving from institutional care to more independent living within socially inclusive communities.
The funding will enable housing authorities to provide up to 150 new homes in the community for people with disabilities. These units will be additional to the overall social housing supports which are expected to be delivered through all supply mechanisms in 2013.
The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency will play a key role in overseeing the rollout of the Implementation Framework and ensuring uniformity of approach at local level.
Additionally, a dedicated Housing Subgroup is being established in order to develop guidance and provide advice for local authorities on the implementation of priority actions.