New bridge to independence

The Housing Authority yesterday announced a scheme for organ-isations that provide accommodation for vulnerable people who are ready to embark on an independent life.

In the first quarter of next year, the authority will issue a call for voluntary organisations that wish to develop assisted accommod-ation projects.

The semi-independent living housing (SILH) scheme will provide shelter for youths leaving institutional care or rehabilit-ation, the homeless, people suffering from chronic mental health problems who do not need hospitalisation, victims of domestic violence, and disabled people.

It will bridge the gap between residential care and living an independent life. It will seek to develop people’s ability to live independently and support them to integrate within the community. SILH will also maximise the limited space in shelter homes for those unable to live independently outside of institutional care.

Through this scheme, these people can acquire skills of living without relying on the social system.

The authority will be giving priority to beneficiaries who are willing to become independent and are not “social service addicts”, chairman Albert Buttigieg said.

Social housing and schemes executive head Lorna Pavia said the authority will fund capital expenditure and not the recurrent expenditure, and if a project costs more than €50,000, the authority has to be represented on the organisation’s project governing body.

Officials will also carry out spot checks, and the authority would retrieve any assistance it would have provided if the organisation moves out of the property or closes down before 10 years are up.

The budget allocated for next year is €200,000.