Draft TAP 2019 -2024 [ CONTENTS Glossary of terms Page 4 Introduction Page 5 Policy Framework Page 6 Policy Statement Page 8 Review of TAP 2014-2018 Page 11 Progress Report on the Implementation Strategy 2014-2018 Page 13 Assessment of Need Methodology Page 16 Assessment of Need 2019-2014 Page 17 Implementation Strategy Page 24 Time Frames for Implementation Page 27 Management & Maintenance of Traveller Specific Accommodation Page 28 Monitoring and Review Page 29 2 Appendix 1 List of Organisations requested to make Submissions Page 30 Appendix 2 Summary of Submissions made. Page 32 Appendix 3 LTACC Members Page 35 3 Glossary of Terms TAP: Traveller Accommodation Programme Department: The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government WC&CC: Waterford City & County Council NTACC: National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee LTACC: Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee ITM: Irish Traveller Movement NTRIS: National Traveller & Roma Integration Strategy RAS: Rental Accommodation Scheme HAP: Housing Assistance Payment CDP: Community Development Project TSS: Tenancy Sustainment Service CBL: Choice Based Lettings 4 Introduction The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 requires that all Local Authorities prepare and adopt Traveller Accommodation Programmes for specific periods of time the most recent being for 2019 -2024. The purpose of these programmes is to assess the current and projected accommodation needs for accommodation for Traveller families in the Local Authority area over this period and to outline specific proposals to ensure this need is met. The programmes will have regard to all relevant legislation. The Programme was prepared in accordance with the directions issued by the Minister for Housing and Planning in the Memorandum on the preparation, adoption and implementation of Local Traveller Accommodation Programmes 2019-2024. 5 Policy Framework The Government Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness Rebuilding Ireland which was published in 2016 states that: “Government Policy on housing in Ireland has for many years aimed to ensure that to the greatest extent possible, every household can access secure, good quality and affordable housing suited to their needs and located within sustainable communities.” It is also recognised that accommodation itself is not enough and there is a need for an integrated response from existing support services to assist in the development of sustainable communities. On March 1st 2017 the Taoiseach, made a statement in The Dail announcing Ireland’s recognition of Travellers as a distinct ethnic group in Irish Society. Following on from that The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 was published by The Department of Justice and Equality. The strategy was developed following a three phase public consultation and it sets out a range of actions across a number of themes including accommodation. The stated overall objective in respect of Accommodation in the Strategy is: “There should be adequate provision of accessible, suitable and culturally appropriate accommodation available for Travellers. Delivery of Traveller accommodation should be underpinned by a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, with a view to ensuring full expenditure of funds allocated to Traveller specific accommodation.” The specific proposals which will be outlined in this Programme will have regard to these Policy objectives. The Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019-2024, and any subsequent reviews of same, will have regard to the Waterford City & County Development Plan and the Housing Strategy The principles of sustainable neighbourhood structures, social integration, adequate provision of the widest possible range of housing options and improved estate management underpin many of the proposals being put forward in this programme and will need to 6 comply with the City & County Councils overall objective of developing sustainable communities. 7 Policy Statement It is the policy of Waterford City and County Council to endeavour to provide accommodation appropriate to the needs of Traveller households who live in the area, who are approved applicants for accommodation by the Council and who are included in the assessment of need in the preparation of this programme. Approved housing applicants of Waterford City and County Council are all applicants who are assessed as having an accommodation need. Waterford City & County Council will have due regard to the Council’s Allocations and Tenancy Management Policies when making any allocation. In so far as possible the preferred accommodation choice of the applicant will be considered. This will be achieved using the full range of Social Housing options which are currently available and by a commitment to investigate and provide, where appropriate any new initiatives that may become available during the lifetime of this Programme. The Social Housing Options currently available include: • Group Housing • Standard Local Authority Housing • Approved Housing Bodies • Transitional Housing • Halting Sites • Leasing Scheme • Housing assistance Payments • Annuity Loans • Caravan Loan Scheme • Housing Adaption grants The specific proposals to meet the identified needs and the timeframe for same will be outlined in the Implementation Strategy section of the Programme. 8 The development and delivery of Traveller specific accommodation i.e. Group Housing or Halting Site accommodation will involve ongoing consultation with Traveller families and the wider community and Elected Council Members to ensure the proposed development meets the needs of the families that will be resident there and also that any issues arising may be addressed at an early stage and in the context of developing sustainable communities. Waterford City and County Council recognises that some Traveller families own horses and would be willing to support proposals for the development of an appropriate horse project in keeping with the following stated objectives of The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021: “The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will support a Traveller equine strategy to support Travellers to engage with knowledge and competence in the equine industry. Traveller horse owners/keepers must comply with all EU and National legislation relating to equine identification and animal welfare. “The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will support the development of regional Traveller horse projects in association with local Authorities to promote knowledge and care of horses, with a focus on animal welfare and road safety.” Waterford City and County Council will consult on an individual basis with families who are involved in traditional economic activities to see if their particular needs may be accommodated subject to compliance with relevant legislation. It is a stated action in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion strategy that “The National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee and the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committees will examine how best they can further develop the involvement of Traveller specific accommodation tenants in issues relating to their scheme or site.” All tenancies provided by Waterford City and County Council are subject to the conditions of the tenancy agreement. The Council provides pre tenancy courses for all of its tenants, however it is recognised that there are particular issues that need to be addressed when families move to ‘Traveller specific accommodation. In response to this it is proposed to develop a course that takes these issues into account. 9 Waterford City and County Council has a contract with Focus Ireland to provide a Tenancy Sustainment Service for individuals and families. This service is available to assist any family or individual accessing and maintaining either private rented, Local Authority accommodation or accommodation provided by the Approved Housing Bodies. Tenants of Traveller Specific accommodation and Standard Local Authority housing will be offered the support services of the Housing Welfare Officer on an ongoing basis to address any welfare issues that may arise. The Traveller Liaison Officer is the point of contact for Traveller families living in Traveller specific accommodation in relation to issues relating to their tenancy and accommodation. Waterford City and County Council’s Anti Social Behaviour Policy states that the City & County Council is committed to the prevention and elimination of anti- social behaviour in its estates. The City and County Council has the authority under Section 13 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 to refuse to allocate a tenancy to a person or household who has been or is involved in anti-social behaviour. The City and County Council also has a procedure to deal with complaints of anti-social behaviour made against existing tenants and if these allegations are substantiated the sanctions available include termination of a tenancy of a family or household, or an Exclusion Order against a member of the household. It is intended that The Traveller Accommodation Programme will be subject to review on an annual basis and to a formal midterm review in 2022 and that the City and County Council will commit to modify the objectives if changing circumstances so warrant. 10 Review of the Waterford County Traveller Accommodation Programme 2014-2018 The Traveller Accommodation Programme 2014-2018 was prepared at a time of unprecedented change in the Local Government