National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

community rather than in institutional settings or segregated from mainstream community.The trust of the Congregated Settings Report is for a 7 year phased closure of congregatedsettings with individuals actively supported to live full, inclusive lives at the heart of thefamily, community and society. This entails access to mainstream facilities such as housing,social, education and work with specialist support as required.Assessment and Planning Issues10.13 Housing authorities do not generally have information on the number of people withan intellectual disability with a housing need. Traditionally, as people with intellectualdisabilities have lived primarily in family settings or in residential accommodation, theywould not, in general, have applied for housing services. As outlined in Chapter 6, where aperson with an intellectual disability expresses a wish to live either independently, or withappropriate supports, in the community, they are entitled to undergo an assessment ofhousing need to determine what housing services may be required. It is a matter for therelevant local authority, in line with the legislative framework and guidance provided byDECLG, to determine if the person is qualified for such support and the most appropriateform of any such support.10.14 In the context of proposals being developed by the HSE in relation to the transitionof people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities from congregated settings tocommunity living, it is essential that the HSE work with housing authorities to develop aframework to provide guidance on the assessment of housing needs and the allocationprocess for that cohort whose support needs are capable of being met in community basedsettings. There should be a multi agency approach to identify and meet the ongoing needsfor people moving from congregated settings with the HSE identified as the agency requiredfor care and supports and the guidance being developed needs to reflect this. It is alsoimportant that the range of needs of individuals with disabilities are taken into accountwhen planning the transition process from congregated settings and the assessment andallocation process should also take account of the necessary HSE care and supports requiredby individuals. In this context, it is recommended that national guidance be developed inrelation to managing the assessment and allocation process for people transitioning fromcongregated settings on a regional or national basis.10.15 All appropriate housing options should be considered in order to meet the arisingaccommodation need. This will require the bringing together of a range of funding streamsin order to support appropriate housing solutions for those people whose support needs canbe met in community based settings.131131