Holly Cairns
Ceist:24. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to provide social and affordable housing to persons with disabilities. [33842/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 24 June 2021
Ceisteanna (24)
Freagraí scríofa
The National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (NHSPWD) 2016-2021, which is a joint publication by the Department of Housing and the Department of Health, sets out the Government’s broad framework for the delivery of housing for people with disabilities. The Strategy was developed as part of a coherent framework of housing and care for people with disabilities, in conjunction with the Government’s mental health policy as set out in A Vision for Change and the Report of the Working Group on Congregated Settings "Time to Move On" (2011) which provides for the transitioning of people with intellectual disabilities from institutional settings to community living.
Persons with disabilities can, and are encouraged to, apply to housing authorities for housing supports, similarly to all citizens, and the range of social and affordable housing solutions are available to them following an assessment of their needs. Accommodation is provided by the local authorities and approved housing bodies supported by Exchequer funding.
The Housing Agency is responsible for implementation of the Strategy and has published a number of documents, including guidelines, to support local authorities in implementing the Strategy. Its vision is to facilitate access for people with disabilities to the appropriate range of housing and related support services, delivered in an integrated and sustainable manner, which promotes equality of opportunity, individual choice and independent living.
Development of a new Strategy to 2027 is underway and the first consultation phase, with a research phase running in parallel, has concluded. A second phase of consultation will be held in the Autumn and the new Strategy will be published by the end of 2021.