National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

5.30 Housing associations providing care and health related support services for theirtenants in different models of housing can apply for funding from the HSE for the healthrelated elements of the service. Section 39 funding under the Health Act 2004 is on thebasis of the provision of health and personal care supports which are ancillary to a servicethe HSE may provide. This funding can provide a variety of services and support to tenantssuch as meals on wheels and care staff. A need for greater coordination between capitaland current funding for CAS projects, where ongoing support costs are required, wasidentified as a challenge for this sector. In order to address this issue, DECLG, inpartnership with the Department of Health, local authorities, HSE and ICSH has developedan interagency protocol to facilitate the better coordination of capital and revenue fundingfor health service related support costs for such projects. This protocol, which wasimplemented in March 2011, will assist housing associations by ensuring that there isapproval in principle for the appropriate health service related revenue funding from theHSE, as new schemes are dependent on approval for appropriate revenue streams at theoutset.5.31 A strategic review of the capital funding schemes for voluntary and co-operativehousing was launched in September 2009. The review endorsed the positive impact of CASin meeting housing needs for people with specific needs and recommends its retention asan instrument for targeting capital investment towards meeting the housing needs of olderpeople, those with disabilities and formerly homeless people.5.32 An enhanced programme of housing for homeless people was available in 2010 toprocure additional accommodation for homeless households by approved housing bodies,working with the Department and the local authority. A key element of the enhancedfinancial package was the allocation of €20 million in capital funding. This was available, inconjunction with funding under the social housing leasing initiative, to leverage theprocurement of the maximum number of properties either through leasing or purchaseusing private funding or, borrowing from the Housing Finance Agency. Tenancy supportservice would be available, as necessary, in accordance with the Slí (Support to LiveIndependently) initiative. Delivery on the enhanced programme for procuringaccommodation was determined primarily by action on the part of housing authorities andapproved housing bodies and the response of market interests, including property ownersand financial institutions. There was a poor response to the enhanced leasing programmewhich was, therefore, discontinued.5.33 Given the key role of the voluntary housing sector in meeting the accommodationneeds of people with specific needs, it is recommended that the development proposals ofapproved housing bodies should reflect and be aligned to relevant future local authorityhousing services plans, to facilitate better planning.57