The National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers welcomes the publication of the Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027
(14 January 2022)
The right of each person with a disability to live independently in the community, with the necessary supports where required, is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The new ‘Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027’ provides an opportunity to make this right real for people with disabilities in Ireland.
The National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers warmly welcomes the publication of this Strategy today. The Strategy focuses on a key issue that drives the ability of people with disabilities to access housing in the community – namely the need for housing and supports to be coordinated. At the launch of the Strategy today Minister Darragh O’Brien, Minister Peter Burke and Minister Anne Rabbitte outlined their commitment to the Strategy, and we look forward to working with the Ministers, their Departments, the Housing Agency and all of the key stakeholders to support the implementation of this vital Strategy.
Close collaboration between Government Departments, state agencies and all stakeholders at both national and local levels will be needed to bring together the housing and the supports that together enable people to live in the community. The delivery of a sufficient volume of housing that is accessible for a range of needs for people with disabilities will also be central to the success of the Strategy. In this context it is very welcome that this Strategy is closely linked with the Government’s national plan “Housing For All”.
The Disability Capacity Review, published by the Department of Health in July 2021, has outlined key challenges and significant unmet need facing people with disabilities in accessing supported living options in the community. The Capacity Review identifies that more than 2000 people remain living in congregated settings, and significant numbers of people with intellectual disabilities are living with elderly parents taking the role of primary carer. This underscores the importance of the implementation of the new Housing Strategy. The coordination of implementation plans for both the Disability Capacity Review and the Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 will be instrumental in achieving the necessary outcomes to meet the significant need for housing and supports identified.
The consultation process that led to the development of the Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 demonstrated a level and depth of consultation that should be seen as a model for future policy work across Government Departments, and the National Federation commends the Housing Agency and all stakeholders for their commitment to its inclusive and accessible development. We look forward to the development of the Implementation Plan in quarter 2 and to engaging with the roll-out of this important Strategy.
ENDS
The National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers Supporting People with Intellectual Disability is the national umbrella organisation of not-for-profit agencies providing direct supports and services to people with intellectual disability in Ireland[i]. Across almost 60 organisations, our members support more than 26,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their families, providing services and supports throughout the lifespan. National Federation member organisations have community presence and connection across large urban centres and small villages throughout Ireland. [CHY14080]
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Contact: Dr Alison Harnett, CEO National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers
E: alison.harnett@fedvol.ie
Twitter: @NatFedVolBodies