NEWS Nov 2009

Cork Social Housing Forum meets Lord Mayor, Cllr. Dara Murphy on the issue of social integration.

On Tuesday 3rd November, members of the Cork Social Housing Forum met with the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Dara Murphy on the issue of social integration.

The Forum has responded to an online survey on social integration organised by the Non-Government Organisation Committee for Social Development at the United Nations, New York.

The survey seeks to identify best practice for social integration across the World. The survey responses will be used to try and influence the work of the United Nations Commission for Social Development that meet annually in New York.

The decision of the non-statutory members of the Cork Social Housing Forum to respond to this international survey was prompted by the continuing need for social housing and awareness of the current housing difficulties of their client groups.

The absence of the human right to housing and the failure of Government to deliver on existing commitments are two of the key barriers to social integration according to the members of Cork Social Housing Forum.

Other barriers to social integration identified by the Forum include: poverty, disempowerment and discrimination. The over reliance on the market economy to provide housing has not addressed the needs of those who are most vulnerable in society.

Cork Social Housing Forum calls on the Government to promote social integration by proactively adopting a rights-based approach to one of our most basic needs, which is housing. Government must honour existing housing commitments in particular in relation to social housing provision.

In these times of economic constraints Government must prioritise the vulnerable in society, the vulnerable include those who are homeless and those living in unfit, overcrowded and inappropriate accommodation.

The survey response document can be downloaded from link below.