Inclusion Ireland Welcomes National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027

14 January 2022 Inclusion Ireland welcomes the publication of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027 today.  You will find all the documents here here . It includes Easy to Read Information which we are delighted to see.

Housing and living in the community are very important for people with intellectual disabilities and having a specific strategy to meet the housing needs of disabled people will ensure there is a basis for working towards ending the housing crisis disabled people face.

Following on from the Strategy, we hope that the implementation plan which is due to be published in June 2022, will be concrete and rights based to ensure that the great work of the strategy is reflected in reality.

Inclusion Ireland has been involved in the consultation on the strategy from the beginning and the Department of Housing conducted an inclusive and transparent process which enabled people with intellectual disabilities to have their voices heard. There is an easy to read summary of the strategy available today, at the same time as all other information, so people with intellectual disabilities have equal access to the information and feel part of the process in a meaningful way.

Derval McDonagh CEO of inclusion Ireland says “The strategy includes 6 themes which together cover the key areas of providing housing and supports for disabled people in Ireland. We are particularly encouraged to see that the strategy is rooted in a rights based approach, including the UNCRPD, citing accessibility, affordability and the supports to live in the community. There is an emphasis  on collaboration and working together along with some of the more nuanced aspects of housing like access to communication and information. Now what we need is a concrete implementation plan which will mirror the inclusive process to date and continue to keep disabled people at the centre of the implementation and monitoring of the strategy at local and national level.”

With regard to implementation of the strategy Derval adds “In implementation we need to see timed and costed actions surrounding, those still living in congregated settings, people under 65 who are living in nursing homes, people who are living in family homes with parents who may need support to live in their communities. There needs to be housing options and supports for everyone, no matter what level of support they may need to live the life they wish to lead. You will hear us consistently say at Inclusion Ireland that the right to a home ,whatever the level of support you might happen to need to live there is absolutely critical if we are to fulfil our obligations under the UNCRPD and to value people with intellectual disabilities as equal citizens”.

Ashley Sands, Chairperson of Inclusion Ireland’s Housing Committee says: “Housing is a issue of great importance for people with intellectual disabilities and a strategic priority for Inclusion Ireland. The publication of this strategy today is a very good step in the right direction. We need to see a strong implementation plan to  follow where everyone is included and nobody is left behind. Everyone deserves to live where they want to live with whom they want to live with, along with the supports they need to live the life they choose”

 

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