Seminar Report

Cork Social Housing calls Forum
On the 15^th September 2010 Cork Social Housing Forum held a half day Social Housing Seminar. The purpose of the seminar was to highlight poverty and social exclusion issues relating to housing and homelessness in Cork City; to provide information on the services provided by member organisations; to present an analysis on the challenges and difficulties experienced by client groups and to make recommendations on what can be done to address these challenges and difficulties.

 Some key points.

Housing and accommodation is a social need and basic human right.

The importance of a partnership approach to address social housing needs.

Recognise the key role past and present of Cork City and County Council in provision of Social Housing.

The importance of tailoring accommodation provision and services to need (a person-centred approach) one size does not fit all.

The link between housing need, social exclusion and poverty.

Security of tenure, social integration and sustainable communities as key factor across all types of housing supports.

The need to research refusals of accommodation by some households on Local Authority waiting lists.

Need to raise awareness and education regarding social housing.

Lack of land bank as an important issue.

 A copy of the Report can be downloaded here. The Seminar was funded by the Social Inclusion Division of the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs under the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010.