HSE agrees to transfer houses to local bodies

THE HSE has agreed “in principle” to relinquish ownership of houses in which people with mental health problems live to local authorities, under a housing strategy published today.

The move will see the HSE move away from being a housing provider, and also help to ease the cost of funding the implementation of the Government’s ambitious national housing strategy for people with a disability.

The strategy sets out a five-year plan to support independent living and find person-centred and community-based housing for people rather than placing them in institutions.

During talks between the HSE and the department, it was proposed that local authorities take ownership of HSE houses which provide low and medium-support accommodation. The HSE estimates that there are 1,606 such people. The clients become tenants of the local authority and the HSE continues to support their needs.

However, the HSE raised concerns that it would lose the value of the property, and that this went against the recommendations of reform document, A Vision for Change, which states that “best market value” should be achieved for HSE properties.

It is understood the HSE will retain houses which offer high support to clients, houses which are empty, and those which are located on the campuses of old psychiatric hospitals.

It has agreed to allow other properties to be transferred to local authorities or voluntary housing agencies on a case by case basis.

A further 3,600 people with an intellectual disability who live in large communal settings must also be moved into community settings.

According to Willie Penrose, the minister with responsibility for housing, the proposals contained in the strategy relating to the transitioning of people with mental health and intellectual disabilities to community-based living are “ambitious” and will only succeed by achieving a committed buy-in from all agencies involved.

“It is absolutely critical that housing is supported by the commitment to the ongoing provision of the necessary health, care, personal and social supports required in order that these people can lead fully inclusive lives in their community,” he said.

Overall, the strategy has nine aims, including encouraging people with disabilities to live independently across the full range of housing options.

Mr Penrose said he intends to prioritise resources for adaptation grants, capital assistance support to approved housing bodies and access to the many streams of housing delivery now available, including through secure tenancies in the private rented sector.

“I will also support the adaptation of vacant social housing units to meet special design requirements for new tenants with disabilities and promote adaptations and extensions to local authority housing to meet the changing individual and family special needs under social housing improvement programmes,” he said.