National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

and in the context of Government proposals regarding the transition of people withdisabilities from institutions to community based living. Effective liaison between housingauthorities and the HSE is required in order to effectively determine the most suitablehousing support required. Disability specific training for all housing authority staff involvedin the general assessment of need process would assist in developing further understandingof the range of disabilities and the various implications for housing need.2008 Housing Needs Assessment6.11 The most recent housing needs assessment was carried out in March 2008 andindicated that that there were just over 56,000 households in need of social housingsupport. This compares with nearly 43,000 in 2005, an increase of over 30%. Specificallyin relation to people with a disability, the assessment identified 1,155 households that werecategorised under the disability heading. This compares to 455 households identified ashaving a disability in the 2005 needs assessment. Detailed breakdown of housing need iscontained in the tables at Appendix 5.Interagency Approach6.12 It was recognised that in order to obtain a fuller and more complete picture of need,the assessment of housing need should be supplemented with effective interagencyprotocols and more formalised linkages and sharing of information between relevantagencies and bodies.6.13 The individual assessment of need protocol, which was implemented in July 2007,governs arrangements for an equitable and transparent referral system between the HSEand housing authorities in respect of people with disabilities where a likely housing supporthas been identified. The protocol relates to individuals who are assessed by the HSE underthe provisions of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005. Part 2 of the Act was commenced on 1June 2007 for children aged under 5 years. It had been intended that the Disability Actwould be commenced on a phased basis for the 5 – 18 year old cohort and then for adults,however, further implementation of the Act has been deferred in the context of the currentfiscal environment. This has limited the scope of the protocol and there is currently nostatutory framework to extend the individual assessment of need protocol to all age groups,leading to a gap in knowledge regarding the housing needs of people with disabilities agedover 5 years.6.14 In view of the above, it is important that consideration be given by all stakeholdersto agree and introduce appropriate arrangements for cooperation between the HSE andhousing authorities. Furthermore, the DECLG and Department of Health are committed todeveloping an additional protocol which will govern the strategic assessment of the nature66