Background Information.

A core recommendation in the Cork City Partnership Local Development Social Inclusion Plan 2000 – 2006 was to raise awareness around the issue of social housing as a measure to prevent homelessness. The Community Development Unit of Cork City Partnership facilitated the Social Housing Working Group, which was set up in April 2001 to organise a seminar on social housing. Various recommendations arose from the seminar, held in October 2001.

The Housing Department, Cork City Council, hosted a follow up meeting to the Social Housing seminar in City Hall in March 2002. The Housing Department recommended that the Social Housing Working Group submit a proposal regarding the development of a Housing Forum at a forthcoming Strategic Policy Committee meeting. The role of the community and voluntary sector was seen as one of working in partnership with the local authority to develop coherent and effective accommodation strategies to address the needs of those most disadvantaged in society. The Cork Social Housing Forum was established in December 2002 and officially launched in December 2004.

Aims and Objectives.

The aims of the Cork Social Housing Forum are to raise awareness of social and affordable accommodation issues, and to lobby the government and policy makers at
local and national level, with a view to enhancing accommodation provision in Cork City and City hinterland area. We are doing this by:

Influencing Policy
Identifying and highlighting inadequacies in accommodation provision to policy makers, including the Housing and Community Services Strategic Policy Committee
Influencing the role of Statutory Agencies in their provision of accommodation.
Ensuring accommodation provision meets individual needs

Research
Evaluating current accommodation provision and where necessary put forward practical recommendations
Working productively in partnership with local authorities so that accommodation provision can be enhanced.
Researching models of Estate Management to identify and promote good practice.

Networking
Sharing information, experiences and training opportunities.
Liaising with Cork Homeless Forum to highlight joint issues of concern.

Want to know more?
Would you or your organisation like to know more about the work of the Forum?
What can the Forum do for you or your organisation?
How can your organisation contribute to the work of the Forum?
How can your organisation become a member of the Forum?

If you would like to discuss any or all of these questions, please contact:
Shirley O'Sullivan, Chairperson
c/o Baile an Aoire, Leycester's Lane, Montenotte, Cork City, Ireland.
Tel: 021-4551200 - Fax: 021-4551202.