THE HOUSING AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD ON MONDAY 25^th FEBRUARY 2013

PRESENT:

Members:                                           Council Officials:

Councillor M. Corr chaired the meeting.

H-I(1)  MINUTES

The Minutes of the Housing and Social Development Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 26^th November, 2013, were proposed by Councillor M. Corr, seconded by Councillor C. King and confirmed and approved as a true record and signed.

H-I(2)  MATTERS ARISING 

            It was NOTED there was no business under this heading.

H-I(3) PRESENTATION ON REGIONAL HOMELESS STRATEGY – CATHAL MORGAN, DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL.

Mr. C. Morgan, Director, Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, gave the following informative presentation on the Homeless Strategy:

       Presentation

He outlined the services and activities in relation to the statutory Homeless Action Plan.  As the current plan is nearing completion, there now needs to be a consultative process in order to commence a new Action Plan. 

The Management Group is made up representatives of the various statutory bodies including the Local Authorities, HSE, the Probation Service etc. The Consultative Group monitors and implement the Action Plan.  This shared service model and responses is across the four Dublin local authorities.  The type of service favoured is the 24 hour wraparound support.  There is a phasing out of the provision of private rented emergency accommodation, as it is not cost effective.

The service provides for Homeless Action Teams, visiting support service, tenancy support and sustainment and full assessments carried out in all the four Dublin local authorities.  The new Homeless Policy Statement was launched by the Government on February 21^st. 

Mr. B. Coman, Director of Services, outlined that South Dublin County Council has been very successful in the provision of a homeless service, particularly in terms of assessment and placement service and thanked all the staff involved in the Homeless Section of Housing. 

During 2012, there were 342 presentations, 1700 emergency placements, 34 in Council rented, and 36 in private rented accommodation. There have been no cuts in funding for the provision of the homeless services in 2012/13 from DOECLG.

Mr. B. Coman confirmed that the South Dublin Draft Regional Plan will be available to a future meeting of the Housing & Social Development Strategic Policy Committee meeting, and then be presented to the September/October Council meeting. 

Bottom of Form

Following a discussion to which contributions were made by Councillors C. King, M. Duff and M. Corr, Mr. C. Morgan, Director, Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, and Mr. B. Coman, Director of Services, responded to queries raised.

It was AGREED that a further report be issued to Councillors in relation to the demographics and profiles of those that are homeless. 

The report was NOTED.

H-I(4)  HOUSING NEEDS ANALYSIS

Mr. Hugh Hogan, Senior Executive Officer, gave a Presentation on the Housing Needs Analysis.

The HNA was last done in 2008, with 6,000 applicants.  The HNA to be carried out over the next few months will require contacting 10,000 applicants to update the Housing List.  The 2009 regulations state that an applicant must be eligible and must have a need for social housing.   The assessment will be done in phases with applicants being contacted in the first instance by letter and then followed up with a phone call.   A lot of staff resources will be required to complete the assessment due to the nature of the work. 

Following a contribution from Councillors C. King, M. Corr, G. Kenny,  Mr. H. Hogan, Senior Executive Officer, and  Mr. B. Coman, Director of Services, responded to queries raised.

It was AGREED to send the Councillors a copy of the letter to be sent out once it is ready. 

The report was NOTED.

H-I (5) QUALITY OF LIFE CONTEXTUAL DOCUMENT

Mr. B. Coman, Director of Services, gave a Presentation on the draft contextual document and introduced the presentation by outlining the background to the work carried out to date. Also South Dublin County Council is unique in that it is the first local authority to introduce a Quality of Life Strategy. Following much international research the draft document was prepared.

South Dublin County Council is the second largest housing authority in the country and third largest authority.  South Dublin's core values include access, engagement and fairness.

The strategic themes are A Busy Place, A Living Place, A Connected Place and A Protected Place are familiar and important that for consistency we use same themes in this strategy. There are a number of proposed Quality of Life indicators outlined in the presentation which will assist in steering the Council towards development of actions and initiatives.

Mr. Billy Coman, Director of Services, confirmed that the draft strategy, once adopted, will be a working document, open to review.  In order to finalise the strategy, Mr. B. Coman, requested feedback and comments from the Councillors present.  The final document will be presented to the next Housing & Social Development Strategic Policy Committee meeting and will incorporate indicators and an action plan.

Following a discussion to which Councillors C. King, G. Kenny, M. Corr contributed, Mr. B. Coman, Director of Services, and Mr. Hugh Hogan, Senior Executive Officer, responded to queries raised.

The report was NOTED.

H-I (6) ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was NO BUSINESS under this heading. 

The meeting concluded at  6.30 p.m.

 Siniú:__Marie Corr                        Dáta:   __27/05/2013____

     An Cathaoirleach