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1.0 Semi independent living housing concept - Rationale

The main aim of semi-independent living housing (SILH) is to develop and

sustain a person’s ability to live as independently as possible either in their

own home or in accommodation with staff on site. This new type of housing

with care allows residents to retain their privacy and independence within their

own self-contained flat but with access to necessary support to assist them to

integrate better in the community.

SILH is an excellent choice for those who are looking to become independent

but are not ready to move out on their own. The integration of these persons

in the community is a step forward ending the dependent life in residential

care and a step closer towards fully independent living. Furthermore, with this

initiative the limited space available in our shelter homes can be maximised

and utilised by those persons that are unable to live independently rather than

using residential care to support persons who are able to live independently if

they are given the necessary support to make the transition. This will also be

cost effective in operating our shelter homes as available funds will be

targeted towards services according to the needs of individuals according to

their stage in life, being dependent, semi-independent and independent.

Persons suffering from mental health, homeless, young people leaving

institutions/care, adults or children victims of domestic violence, fostered

young people and disabled persons might need SILH for a variety of reasons.

The reality of these reasons tends to have a detrimental effect on the lives of

these persons which can thus lead to unemployment, addictions, social and

economical poverty, homelessness or housing vulnerability, and social

exclusion. If these persons are able to live independently, they should not

remain dependent on the institutional care thus it is important to consider an

integrated approach to their problems which can help them to move on and

start their own life outside care.

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2.0 Housing Authority and Supported Housing Programme

The Housing Authority (HA) manages the Supported Housing Programme

(SHP) for many years now. This programme is targeted to assist recognized

voluntary organisations (Annex 1: Definitions) whose primary focus relates to

the provision for housing service to persons in housing needs with the ultimate

aim to promote integration of vulnerable people in the community. The HA can

have an important role in assisting vulnerable persons as housing is one of

the fundamental issues in their lives. The HA is already assisting shelter

organisations that provide full residential care through provision of premises,

assistance to refurbish residences or funding mobility issues in the same

residences. It also provides assistance for to various organisations, persons

suffering from mental health, persons suffering from domestic violence and

persons with disability by allocating units for this purpose or giving rent

subsidy or refurbishing grants for units rented for this scope.

The assistance offered refers to:

a. The provision of one or more premises, by sale or lease; when

premises are given on lease a subsidy of 40% on the commercial rent shall

be given.

b. Financial grants for alternations, refurbishment, repairs or upgrading of

premises.

c. Financial grants to address mobility issues.

d. Rent subsidy for young people aged 16- 28 years out of care or

rehabilitation programmes.

e. Offering our technical expertise support in case of any structural

changes

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The HA allocates an annual budget which is distributed according to the

number of requests received on a first come first served basis.

3.0 Semi-Independent Living. Towards a person-centred approach

In the coming years, HA shall shift its emphasis to focus more on assistance

related to semi-independent living to bridge the gap between residential care

(support housing programme) and living an independent life for different target

groups. There seems to be a gap in this sector particularly for youth leaving

care or youth at risk, and homeless persons. This shall be part of the Housing

Authority objectives in the coming years to enhance accessibility to adequate

housing to vulnerable persons whilst securing their prospects for a better

quality of life within the community.

A person-centred approach is what makes supported housing successful.

Service providers will be able to identify the needs of the service user and

devise a plan to determine the length of transition required from their previous

abode and the ‘move on’ phase to independent living. This assessment

depends largely on their acquired skills, their disability and their behaviour.

Some persons might be more challenging than others and therefore tailor

made and comprehensive packages of support that respond to people’s

needs, their aspirations and choices over time are necessary for these

vulnerable persons to be able to manage the change from residential care to

semi-independent living to fully independent living.

Such person centred approach is fundamental as service providers can

identify the need for single flats (having own kitchen, bathroom and bedroom)

or for shared housing (clients share a kitchen and a bathroom but have their

own bedrooms) which can also fall within the scope of semi-independent

living. Flat lets can be located in one block or spread in different localities.

Service users are expected to cook, clean and shop for themselves thus they

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might require independent living skills assistance, budgeting, health and life

style, personal safety, emotional well being etc… but members of staff being a

janitor living within the block of self contained flats or members of staff based

on site (day and night) or make regular visits are expected to be available to

help with practical matters during this transition phase.

Housing related support is also essential to identify the opportunities available

to access independent accommodation after semi-independent living

arrangements. Some persons might be able to look for units for rent from the

private sector; other might be able to make it for home ownership while others

might depend on the availability of social housing.

Within this context, our areas of priorities are:

3.1 Youth at risk

Semi-independent housing for youth aging out of the institutional care or

rehabilitation centres, homeless and youth at risk is an important element to

assist these older adolescents and young adults to embark on a new

independent life rather than ending up within the social system with a lifetime

dependence on the Government. Youth who leave institutional care are faced

with serious challenges as having grown accustomed to an insular group life;

they suddenly have to face the adult work and adapt to live alone in the

outside world. Through SILH, these youth can all live in a separate flat let

however mentors and support workers are vital in offering their assistance to

help them integrate with others and develop networking and independent

skills. These youth tend also to lack educational skills which make it difficult

for them to find employment which is fundamental for their ultimate aim to live

fully independent within the community.

Supervised housing sort of giving them a taste of independent living but

through the 24hr support that they are given, they are better assisted to

overcome day to day difficulties and embark on new challenges in their lives

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to help them manage better their independent life.

3.2 Homeless

Homelessness is not a static phenomenon; it is a process affecting many

vulnerable households at different points in their lives. Homelessness is

usually associated with lack of suitable accommodation however there is more

to it than the physical aspect; homeless persons tend to pass from various

problems being social and psychological amongst others that need to be

tackled a priori rather than trying to solve the problem only by giving them

shelter.

Securing and maintaining housing for homeless persons is an important

aspect of supportive housing. Permanent housing shall take priority over

emergency accommodation in order to secure long term housing. Temporary

and emergency accommodation shall be for a definite period of time as the

name implies however permanent housing shall be made available for this to

happen. Necessary support shall be provided to assist homeless persons in

their transition to permanent housing ensuring that they can gain the

necessary skills and competences to lead an independent life particularly

focusing on how they can maintain their new accommodation, reducing the

risk of eviction or repeat homelessness.

3.3 Mental health

HA provides accommodation to persons with chronic mental health problems

who do not need hospitalization but supportive setting. In the apartments,

tenants have their own bedroom and a communal lounge and kitchen.

Persons are assisted and involved in the management of their homes in order

to maintain their property and living environment at an adequate level.

Ongoing support to facilitate the holistic integration in the community is very

important.

The scheme is open to persons suffering from a chronic mental health

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problem; who have undergone or are undergoing a rehabilitation programme;

who are either homeless or in a situation where returning to previous living

environment would be detrimental to their mental health; who want and are

committed to community living; and are able to support self financially or are

eligible for financial assistance.

3.4 Victims of domestic violence

These persons have to leave home because they can no longer tolerate the

abusive situation; the abuse can be physical, emotional, financial and/or

sexual. The women (most of the victims are women) shall be empowered to

be able to decide which direction they want their lives and that of their

children’s to take.

Supportive housing can be a solution during the transition in the lives of these

women and their children. Usually victims of domestic violence suffer in

silence and they need to be brave enough to leave their home and secure a

safer place to live. Thus offering these persons opportunities for supportive

housing where they can secure accommodation whilst being given the

necessary support and emotional and practical empowerment to enable them

to rebuild their lives may encourage victims to come forward.

Second stage shelters already exist however HA shall focus more on

providing independent flat lets to women and their children to start building

their life again independently from their abusive husband or partner. Victims of

domestic violence are among the most vulnerable groups at risk of poverty

and social exclusion thus supportive housing programmes can shed light to a

hopeful new beginning, a life within a safe environment. This programme

shall also serve as a tool to bring out children from abusive environments and

the possibility to deal with their difficult life situation from when they are young.

3.5 Disabled persons

SILH enables persons with a disability to live independently or with others,

where the family home environment is not possible or available. Residents will

gain skills in community living through individualised support plans ensuring

the achievement of their optimum potential in enhancing their quality of life.

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Persons with disability have different needs than other target vulnerable

groups. Therefore SILH opportunities for this group shall be more specific

according to the individual needs and disability. SILH can be in the form of

small and personalised apartments and houses or the home of the individual

with a disability. Support is required to assist the person with disability to

become more independent and when possible self-sufficient. The units shall

be adaptable to the disability needs of the persons living under supportive

housing to maximise their potential to live their own independent life.

4.0 General guidelines to follow

4.1 The Housing Authority shall fund capital expenditure and it shall not

fund recurrent expenditure. It is at the discretion of the Housing Authority to

fund projects in full or in part. Each request is reviewed on its own merits. The

final decision is at the discretion of the HA.

4.2 Organisations shall obtain all the necessary permits prior to submitting

a request for assistance to the Housing Authority ensuring that the funds are

allocated to property that can be transformed into supportive housing and

semi-independent living arrangements.

4.3 The Housing Authority shall keep constant contact with the

organisations assisted under this scheme to ensure that the units are utilised

for the purpose indicated in the scheme/agreement.

4.4 The project for which assistance is requested shall be in line with the

policies of the HA and its involvement to promote decent housing standards in

the community (Cfr. 5 star qualifications )

4.5 Projects have to demonstrate financial sustainability which guarantees

completion.

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4.6 In case of major projects 1 the HA reserves the right to require one of

its staff members to represent the Authority on the organisation’s governing

body when issues referring to the project assistance is received for are being

discussed.

4.7 Since project may not be completed in the same year when approval

of funds have been given, SILH shall be monitored and managed via an

implementation and disbursement schedule ensuring that funds committed

are made available in line with the timeframes provided.

4.8 Outstanding commitments shall be included in the annual budget under

the programme.

4.9 The assistance granted shall be to the benefit of the service users

rather than for the wellbeing of the organisation itself.

5.0 Requirements

5.1 Submit the application for funding on the prescribed format, including

all documents;

5.2 Enter into agreement which will clearly state the time-frame, the

programme of works and the proposed phasing of payments, the extent

of works to be carried out (bills of quantities to be compiled by architect

contracted by the applicant organisation) and the funds to be granted

for each item on the basis of the report compiled by the Authority’s

architect (engineer in case of passenger lift, occupational therapist to

be consulted in case of disabled persons) after inspecting the

premises;

5.3 Grant access to Housing Authority’s architect/technical officer to ensure

1 Major projects are defined as those receiving support in excess of € 50,000

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that works are proceeding and up to standard (surprise visits);

5.4 Abide to any regulations, standards and legal obligations established

by Government, e.g. Health and Safety Regulations, and obtain MEPA

permits where applicable; the contractor shall be suitably qualified to

carry out the trades required and shall provide documentation proving

that he possesses valid licence/certification to carry out the works, in

cases of structural alterations/construction works the NGO shall

engage an architect/engineer to supervise and certify the work;

5.5 Agree that financial instalments will be issued subject to certification by

the Authority’s architect confirming that works are completed and up to

standard;

5.6 Notify the Authority of any discrepancy from the original time frame by

submitting a written request for approval of change. Any substantial

delay in works which will end up carrying the works into another year

will not automatically mean that the HA will finance that project as the

budget is approved on a year by year basis;

5.7 Abide to the information policy applied by the Housing Authority,

following which information concerning an individual case is given to a

NGO only in cases where the individual applicant has used the

services of this NGO and is receiving continuous support from the

same through a Housing Authority scheme; in all other cases the

Housing Authority is strictly only to be contacted by the client;

5.8 Agree that in cases where the organisation moves out of the property

assistance has been received for or closes down before a period of 10

years has elapsed, the Authority is legally entitled back the assistance

forwarded, which may be done in form of cash payment or by giving

back the premises or movable property.

5.9 Assist the Authority in the collection of data in relation to the assistance

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given and the benefits related to the project funded through the

supported housing programme.

6.0 Promotion

6.1 The Housing Authority’s logo shall be included in all promotional and

printed material associated with the project for which assistance is

being received;

6.2 The Housing Authority shall be mentioned as a sponsor in all media

announcements related to the respective project;

6.3 The Housing Authority shall be included as a sponsor on the

organisation’s website.

7.0 Documents

All applications presented must have state the statute of the voluntary

organisation and business plan outlining its mission statements, its

objectives, its functions, its financial provisions and intentions, and all other

factors that it deems critical to the successful operation and development

of its service (number of persons intended to house, fees, staffing policies,

policy and procedure re keeping of records, resident’s charter, complaints

procedure);

7.1 Detailed departmental and management accounts, an audited

financial report, copies of FS3s, copy of FS7, and management

accounts including Income and Expenditure and Balance Sheet –

Annual audited account;

7.2 Documentation relating to evidence of the housing need for which it

aims to cater;

7.3 Evidence of title to, or lease agreement of the property assistance

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is required for. Any such lease is to extend for a minimum period of

10 years;

7.4 Site and property plans of the property in question, building

permits, scaled plans, bills of quantity, quotations;

7.5 Specimen License Agreement with residents.

8.0 Programme Implementation Structure – Internal procedures

8.1 The Authority’s SILH is managed by the Head of HA Social Department or

his representative, with a direct reporting line to the CEO. The

consolidation of the whole programme under this department seeks to

ensure that assistance is granted reaching beneficiaries in a most efficient

way and reflecting the policies adopted by the Authority.

8.2 The Head of HA social Department or his representative acts as the

Authority’s representative on Committees entrusted with the

implementation of major projects

supported by the Authority. Her role is to

ensure that the monitoring of the initiatives being undertaken are in line

with the sponsorship conditions established and that the Authority’s

involvement is suitably recognised.

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9. 0 Assessment

9.1 The following procedures apply:

� All requests received by the Authority for support for any NGO will be

forwarded to the Head of Supported Housing.

� HA shall carry out necessary checks with the Non-Governmental

Organisations Project Selections Committee of the Ministry for

Education, Employment and the Family in relation to any funding given

by the same committee for the project for which funding is being

requested.

� For new requests, the Head of Supported Housing will make

recommendations to the CEO, after having evaluated the request in

line with the parameters established in this policy document.

� The CEO will decide on whether to accept or decline a request and

pass on his instructions to the Head of Supported Housing.

� The Head of Supported Housing will write to the correspondents

informing them of the Authority’s decision. In the case of approved

requests, the Head of Supported Housing is entrusted with negotiating

the best possible exposure for the Authority in return for its support and

to take decisions in due course throughout the implementation of the

project unless major changes to the original proposal are made. Such

changes shall be considered as new requests.

� The Authority’s Chairman or Directors who may be approached directly

for support may review a request and forward their comments to the

Head of Supported Housing. The Head of Supported Housing will, in

turn, add on his recommendations and forward to the CEO for a

decision.

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9.2 This Governance structure is intended to eliminate fragmentation and

effectively establish one single channel for the reviewing of requests and

recommendations (Head of Supported Housing) and one single channel for

approvals, i.e., The Chief Executive Officer. Both will operate within

parameters established by the Board of Directors.

9.3 The Board of Directors will retain the option to review any request or issue

which it may feel merits its direct consideration without recourse to the

policies and governance structures identified in this policy document. These

initiatives will not fall under the financial framework of this programme.

10. Reporting

The established reporting framework is as follows:

� The Head of Supported Housing will forward a monthly report to the

Chief Executive Officer, outlining all commitments undertaken during

the month under the Authority’s Supported Housing Framework, giving

an updated budget position.

Annex 1

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Definitions

1. Voluntary Organisation

With reference to the NGO profile established by the Non-Governmental

Organisations Project Selections Committee of the Ministry for Social Policy, a

voluntary organisation requesting funds should:

• Be a not-for-profit organisation;

• Present an updated list of the directors and/or management Board;

• Have a good track record of (a) being committed to providing quality

service; (b) adhering to the principles of equal opportunities; (c)

applying official Government policies related to the social sector; and

(d) abiding to legislation and regulation;

• Have credentials in management, past performance, professional

competence, and also a programme leader with a good track record

and the required experience;

• Demonstrate that it works towards the strengthening of formal and

informal networks of similarly oriented NGOs to address common

concerns;

• Demonstrate that it does not solely rely on Government funds and that

it makes efforts to raise funds form other sources (e.g. fund raising

activities, fees, donations, acquisition of in-kind goods and services);

• Show a commitment to the recruitment, training and retention of

volunteers and is well organised to make best use of their services;

• Introduce, if not available, a handbook of operational policies and

procedures which will be made available for staff;

• Have the capability to adapt and respond to the emerging needs of

service users;

• Give value to service accessibility and to involvement of service users;

• Have, in previous years, submitted documents as requested by the

Housing Authority in a timely, complete, correct and efficient manner.

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(This does not apply to first-time applicants)

2. Assistance

(a) the provision of one or more premises, by sale or lease; when premises are

given on lease a subsidy of 40% on the commercial rent shall be given;