Since the establishment of the Independent Living Initiative in 2005:
- EBS has invested €474,150 in housing for people progressing out of homelessness.
- This EBS investment has levered €11,789,977 of Government funding under the CAS scheme for housing for people progressing out of homelessness.
- Total investment under the Initiative of €12,264,127.
- 76 properties acquired to support independent living for people progressing out of homelessness.
- Projects are currently being progressed that will potentially lead to the acquisition of 29 further properties via the initiative, bringing the total to 105.
EBS AND THE INDEPENDENT LIVING INITIATIVE
POSITIVE IMPACT AND INDEPENDENT LIVING
At EBS Building Society, corporate social responsibility is defined as anything which EBS does as a business that has a positive impact either in the workplace, amongst its members, in the wider community or in the environment. Based on this definition, EBS has developed a strategic CSR programme, known simply as ‘Positive Impact’. Formally launched in 2004, Positive Impact was developed following a consultation process with EBS members and employees. As a result of this process, it was determined that Positive Impact would focus on three key areas; homelessness; education and community regeneration.
Through Positive Impact, EBS has entered into three national partnerships relevant to the themes of its CSR programme. One of these partnerships was forged with the Simon Communities of Ireland. Launched in 2004, the Independent Living Initiative marked a new venture by the Simon Communities of Ireland. Supported by EBS, the programme has provided over 70 housing units to those who are homeless or living in emergency accommodation. The initiative is on track to provide its 100th unit in late 2007.
The Independent Living Initiative is central to Simon’s strategy of helping to move people out of homelessness for good. When given the opportunity of appropriate settlement and life skills support, there are many homeless people and those living in emergency accommodation that are capable of sustaining tenancies in independent housing. The Independent Living Initiative provides this unique opportunity, while permanently breaking the cycle of homelessness.
As a mutual organisation, EBS is strongly aware of its responsibilities to be involved with communities where its members live and work and the Society is proud to be associated with an initiative that aims to make a strategic breakthrough in the homelessness cycle. Having worked closely on the project for the last few years, it is evident that the programme has made a marked difference in the lives of the people involved.
In addition to providing capital support for the initiative, EBS has also made a rolling fund available to Simon to help facilitate the cash flow requirements needed to purchase suitable homes at a pace in keeping with the market. The rolling fund is used to enable Simon to take a mortgage on a property immediately while the funding from the Department of the Environment is being processed. In the past, the time lag between approval of funds and ability to access the funds has often resulted in a chosen property no longer being available. The rolling facility in place from EBS has eliminated this issue.
Part of the funding provided by EBS is used to support a tenancy sustainment programme. Simon Community employs Resettlement Teams to assist tenants who move into independent accommodation. Initially, the role of these teams is to help a tenant establish their tenancy, ensuring they claim any entitlements to which they may be due and assisting in the completion of the various forms where necessary. The teams also help to ensure that there is adequate furnishing in the accommodation. The additional Tenancy Support work under the “Open Door” programme takes the form of ‘life skills’ training, helping tenants in areas such as budgeting, food planning/healthy eating, cooking and cleaning; this is delivered by the Local Simon Community with the additional funds made available through the partnership with EBS.
The partnership with the Simon Communities has also been embraced by EBS staff, with a variety of fundraising and volunteering events being undertaken each year. For example, staff get involved in the Simon Fun-Run, help with post opening at Christmastime and participate in carol singing.
Independent Living is the core of a three-year partnership between the Simon Communities and EBS Building Society and since the partnership began, the relationship between the two organisations has developed and evolved over the years.