I launched the second joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 on 14 January 2022 together with Minister Darragh O'Brien and Ms. Anne Rabbitte, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability. The new Strategy will operate within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing, including universally designed units, is available to everyone in Irish society, including those with disabilities and older people. The co-ordination and alignment of housing provision with the delivery of health and social care support services, which are provided by the Health Services Executive (HSE), is identified in the Strategy as key to successful implementation.
Preparation of the Implementation Plan for the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People is underway and will be launched in Quarter 4 2022. The Implementation Plan will be aimed at delivering housing and related supports for disabled people through the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in line with the new Strategy.
My Department introduced a revised social housing application form in March 2021 in consultation with the local authority sector. The changes made provided an application form that is more customer focused, and which is more streamlined and accessible for the applicant. The application form already provided for applicants to identify housing requirements arising from a disability or medical condition, but now also includes an identifier for persons requiring 'wheelchair liveable' accommodation.
The day-to-day operation of the social housing system, including tenancy agreements, is a matter solely for each local authority including any assistance provided in this regard.
