Moving

Forward
The next steps for Banner Housing Association

Five year Strategic Plan: 2008-2013

 It gives me a great
sense of satisfaction and
hope to introduce you
to this strategic plan
for Banner Housing
Association, which
aims to provide
equality of housing
options primarily
for people with an
intellectual disability
in County Clare.
a note from the chair

It gives me a great sense of This strategic plan, which has been

satisfaction and hope to introduce
you to this strategic plan for Banner
housing association, which aims
to provide equality of housing
options primarily for people with an
intellectual disability in County Clare.
Banner Housing Association LTD was
established in 2002 as a social housing
provider. The Association has been
steadily working at improving the
housing options available to people
with an intellectual disability in the
Clare region over the past number of
years and to date has ensured that
all tenants of the Association have a
place they can call their own.
Traditionally people with disabilities
lived in institutions and more recently
in group-homes where they had
to share with other people with a
disability. They often did not have
any choice of whom they lived with
and usually had little in common with
each other. People generally had very
little choice of where they lived and
what type of accommodation they
lived in.
developed by the board and staff of
the Housing Association, is an attempt
to build a strong and effective
housing organisation, which will meet
the dreams and wishes of its tenants
and potential tenants well into the
future. It is my wish that this strategy
will support the moves to support
people with an intellectual disability
find there rightful place in society
and ensure that in the future they will
have the opportunity of living a real
life in a real place.
I want to thank all those who have
been involved in developing this plan
and I look forward with great hope
that this strategy will strengthen
Banner Housing Association to enable
the delivery of real housing options
for people with an intellectual
disability in the future.

People with disabilities have been

telling us that they do not want
to live in groups, they want to live
and be part of the community, they
want choices of where to live and Eamon Finn
support to live in towns and villages Chairman, Banner Housing Association
throughout the county of Clare. They
want housing that is accessible for
wheelchairs so that people who have
to use a wheelchair can have access to
housing.
Moving Forward- The next step for
Banner Housing Association.

Strategic Plan, 2008-2013

October 2007

Prepared by Banner Housing Association

Published by
Banner Housing Association
Banner House,
Clare Road
Ennis

Contributor:
Donna Browne
Pamela Clancy
Pauline Clune
Eamon Finn
Rob Hopkins
Aoibheann Lindsay
Eamon Loughrey
Gerard Minogue
Helen Minogue

Design:
Colm Brennan, Goldenegg Productions.

Print:
Realprint, Ennis.

Banner Housing Association would like

to thank the Brothers of Charity Services
Clare Ltd. and in particular Mary Kealy,
Tony Murphy from the Carmichael
Centre, the ICSH and the Department
of the Environment, Heritage and Local
Heritage.
.

DISCLAIMER
Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this
document, however Banner Housing Association does not
accept liability for any inaccuracy and reserves the right to
alter or amend the document as appropriate.

Unless otherwise stated, the copyright attached to this

document is held by Banner Housing Association.
Contents

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

History of Banner Housing Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Significant Historic Events Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Purpose of the Housing Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Our Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Our Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Our Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Services we provide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Company Appraisal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Strategic Aims and Priorities for 2008-2013. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Aim 1:
Increase housing Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Aim 2:
Develop the identity and profile of Banner Housing Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Aim 3:
Establish financial stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Aim 4:
Maintain and upgrade housing facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Aim 5:
Inform Directors and staff of up to date research, standards & legislation . . . . . . 16

Strategy Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
4 Introduction
This five year Strategic Plan, was
developed from the outcomes of a
governance workshop and the desire
of the governing body to strengthen
the foundations of Banner Housing
Association as an independent
company. It builds on the Brothers of
Charity Draft National Strategic Plan
and marks out clear directions for
the company to follow over the next
five years. It identifies the strengths
and weaknesses of the company,
describes clear aims and objectives
to be prioritised and sets out actions
and targets to be achieved between
2008-2013.
The document was adopted by the
current board of Directors on the 5th
of September 2007.
History of Banner Housing
Association
Banner Housing Association Ltd was
established in 2002 as a Social Housing
Provider, primarily for people with an
intellectual disability. We are a sister
company of the Brothers of Charity
Services Clare Ltd. and both companies
remain closely linked through our
desire to support people with an
intellectual disability to lead full and
valued lives. The Housing Association
is presently governed by a board of
seven directors and is operated on a
day to day basis by a Housing Officer.
The association also benefits from the
advice of a Financial Controller.
Banner Housing Association provides
people with an intellectual disability
the opportunity to establish their
own home. Tenants are provided
with the additional security that they
have rights in their own home in the
knowledge that they have a tenancy
agreement and a rent based on their
income.
Significant Historic Events 5

In the late 1990’s the Brothers of

Charity Services Clare began to look
for better housing options for people
availing of their services. They believed
that people had a right to their own
space and they sought to provide
people with their own room.

2002 2007
A new company called “Brothers of The first Independent Director was
Charity, Clare Housing Association” recruited by the Association to sit on
was formed with the support of a the board and set a precedent in the
new governing body. The founding restructuring of Governance Policy.
of the new company was to improve
the quality and choice of housing
to people through availing of social
housing. Carramór was developed as
a purpose built house for people with
high dependency needs.

2005
The Housing Association began to
change direction from providing
quality group housing to providing
an individualised service for people
wishing to live Independently. A
house in North Clare and East Clare
were purchased to suit the needs of
the current tenants.
‘…providing an
2006
individualised
The name of the Housing Association
was changed to Banner Housing
service
Association Ltd. to assist the company for people
to develop a corporate identity
independent from the Brothers of wishing to live
Charity. The governing body also took
their first step in hiring a member
of staff to assist in their delivery of
independently’
housing and their development of the
company.
6

‘the type of
home they
wish to live in,
in a location of
their choice and
to choose who
they wish
to live with.’
Purpose of
Banner Housing Association
Our Vision
Is of an Ireland where people with an
intellectual disability have a right to
choose the type of home they wish
to live in, in a location of their choice
and to choose who they wish to live
with.
Our Mission
To provide equality of opportunity
in housing, primarily for people with
intellectual disability in County Clare.
Our Values
Our work is informed and determined
by:
s 2ESPECTAND%QUALITY
We believe that our company should
promote:
s )NDEPENDENCEFOR4ENANTS
s )NCLUSIVENESSINOURSTRUCTUREAND
ensure that we promote inclusive
Participation in everything we do.
s 3ELF
SUFlCIENCYASA,IMITED
Company
s 1UALITYOFSERVICEANDHOUSING
s &ACILITATEPEOPLEONANINDIVIDUAL
basis
s 3TEWARDSHIPOFRESOURCES
7
Services we provide
Social Housing Provider:
We rent long term accommodation to
people primarily with an Intellectual
disability in a flexible, person lead
approach. We purchase, build or
refurbish property according to
individuals needs.
Advice service:
We offer an advice and information
tailored to tenants and prospective
tenants individual needs on maters
such as housing, maintenance issues
and advice in relation to peoples
welfare entitlements.
Maintenance Programme:
Our maintenance programme ensures
that our houses are maintained to a
high standard and takes place on a
planned basis as well as when needs
arise.
8 Strategy

At Present…
Company Banner Housing Association has
established itself over the last five
Appraisal years as a registered social housing
provider, a limited company and a
registered Charity.
Banner Housing Association is
founded on the strengths that we are:
1. An established company with a
track record in providing housing.
2. That we have a strong governing
body in place to support the
strategic development and of the
company.
3. A Housing Officer has been
employed to oversee the day-day
running of the organisation.
4. We have retained support from
the Brothers of Charity Services
Clare. The Brothers of Charity
has provided Banner Housing
Association with resources enabling
the company to firmly establish
itself. Furthermore our connection
with the Brothers of Charity
Services Clare, secures our tenant
base and links us with prospective
tenants.
5. For a small company, Banner
Housing Association has acquired
ten houses in recent years,
providing us with the potential to
generate income.
 9

We have the potential to… Challenges along the way…

1. Increase our housing stock and 1. Addressing our financial stability
facilities, set an annual target must be given a priority. We
of enabling five people with acknowledge the need for us to
an intellectual disability the address our lack of income, within
opportunity to establish their own the timeframe of the Strategic Plan.
home each year and seek potential
2. We recognise the difficulty in
tenants from outside the Brothers
recruiting Independent Directors
of Charity. Encourage tenants
and Directors from the Brothers
participation at every level and
of Charity who can give sufficient
facilitate a Tenants Association.
time to the governing of the
Implement an annual maintenance
company. We acknowledge that
programme.
getting a balance between the
2. Increase the size of the board to ratio of external Directors, Brothers
ensure diversity on the board, of Charity nominees and potentially
prevent conflict of interest and Tenants must be given priority over
assess risk management by increasing the size of the board.
enabling the Brothers of Charity
3. We recognise that the board are
Services Clare to nominate 60% of
responsible for risk management
Directors on the board and for a
and therefore finances may
nomination committee to be given
prevent the recruitment of more
the power to appoint Independent
staff and that best practice, lack
Directors as the remaining 40% of
of finances and the requirement
the board. Two tenants could have
to comply with policy may require
positions on the board.
the Brothers of Charity and Banner
3. To develop as a leading provider Housing Association to develop a
of social housing for people with service agreement to resolve any
an intellectual disability. Ensure conflict of interest between both
we comply with best practice and parties.
social housing regulations. In the
4. We acknowledge our over reliance
long-term we have the potential
on Brothers of Charity Services
to employ professionals and
Clare personnel in relation to the
researchers.
administration of finances and
4. Achieve independence from the human resource functions.
Brothers of Charity in the long
term and widen our tenant base to
other people with an intellectual
disability and seek people from the
community to house share.
5. We have the potential to
strengthen our finances by
developing a Fundraising strategy
and charging the Brothers of
Charity Services Clare for services
such as rent and maintenance.
10 Strategic Aims and Priorities
for 2008-2013

Banner Housing Association has set itself 5 Strategic

Aims to be achieved within the time frame of the
strategic plan. Each aim is discussed in detail and
prescribes the actions and resources required to
reach set targets.
 11

1. Increase our stock of quality

housing for potential tenants.
2. To develop and promote the
identity and profile of Banner
Housing Association.
3. To establish financial stability.
4. To maintain and upgrade
housing facilities.
5. To inform Directors and staff of
up to date research, standards
and legislation.
12 Aim 1
Increase our stock of quality housing for
potential tenants
In order to for fill our mission it is vital Objectives for 2008-2013…
that Banner Housing Association increases a. Increase our housing stock in line with
the number of quality housing options the needs of prospective tenants.
coming on stream on an annual basis. The
b. Target cost effective housing with
purchase and development of housing
an emphasis on accessing units
is costly and consumes both human
under Part Five of the Planning and
and financial resources. It is therefore
development Act, 2000 and other new
vital that we are creative, dynamic and
developments that will not require
proactive in our provision of housing.
major investment or resources within
Interaction with potential tenants and
the first ten years.
agencies from an early stage pre-empts
the type of housing required over a set c. Project future housing needs for the
period of time and prevents the purchase duration of the plan and reassess
of inappropriate housing. Banner Housing needs on an annual basis. Involve
Association promotes the development potential tenants and care agencies in
of ‘life-time’ adaptable and sustainable the planning of prospective housing
homes. needs.

d. Design adaptable and sustainable

housing in line with ‘life time housing’
criteria.

What Actions will we take?

s #ARRYOUTOUTAHOUSINGNEEDS
assessment of existing Brothers of
Charity Clients and other prospective
tenants on an annual basis.

s !DOPTAHOUSINGANDlNANCIALSTRATEGY
to meet the needs of Association over
the period of the strategic plan.

s 3ETANNUALTARGETSBASEDONTHE
housing needs assessment and the
housing strategy.

s &ACILITATEANANNUALHOUSINGFORUMFOR
prospective tenants and management
of care agencies to help set annual
targets.
Aim 2 13
To develop and promote the identity and
profile of Banner Housing Association
Banner Housing Association is a s 0ROMOTE"ANNER(OUSING
small company associated with the Association and social housing in
Brothers of Charity Services Clare. It news articles for local and national
is vital for the company to establish press and radio frequently within
a strong independent identity, to the timeframe of the plan
establish ourselves as a well respected
s 5TILISETHE3TRATEGIC0LANASALAUNCH
company that is geared specifically
pad for promoting the company in
to the housing needs of people
2008
with an intellectual disability. A
strong coherent identity deliberately s $EVELOPATRANSPARENT3ERVICE
created is critical. Strengthening our agreement between the Brothers
identity will assist the professional of Charity and Banner Housing
image of the company along with Association 2008/2009
strengthening the emotional response
s )NCREASETHENUMBEROF
from the community.
independent Directors on the
board to 40% in 2008 to reduce
Objectives for 2008-2013…
the conflict of interest between
a. Strengthen our corporate branding.
the Brothers of Charity and Banner
b. Increase our profile amongst Housing Association
people with an intellectual
s 0RODUCEANDUPDATECORPORATE
disability in County Clare.
governance protocols and
c. Develop a profile at a local and procedures on an ongoing basis
National level.
s #REATEALEADINGROLEINTHE
d. Strengthen our independence from company and employ an
the Brothers of Charity. appropriate candidate, when the
company has become Financially
secure
What Actions will we take?
s 0RODUCEACOMPLETELINEOF s #REATEINFORMATIONFORUMSFOR
stationary with the names of the tenants on an annual basis to
new governing body after each ensure that they are clear about the
AGM. role of Banner Housing Association
s 0RODUCEPROMOTIONALBROCHURESAND
posters to be dispersed through
out the County promoting the
services provided by the company
by 2009.
s $EVELOPANACCESSIBLEWEBSITE
promoting our services to
prospective tenants, their care
workers, friends and family in 2008.
Ensure that it is updated at least
every six months.
14 Aim 3
To establish financial stability within the
Company
It is the responsibility of the governing
body and staff members to protect
the financial stability of the company.
Furthermore the strength of our
finances determines the quality of
service we provide along with the
quality and maintenance of our
housing. Rent is our sole source of
income to the company and this
must be paid by each tenants inline
with recommendations from the
Irish Council for Social Housing and
Clare County Council. Several revenue
streams must be sought to strengthen
the companies finances.
Objectives for 2008-2013…
a. Secure and increase our income
derived from rent.
b. Explore other revenue streams.
c. Secure finances to increase staffing
levels as appropriate.
What Actions will we take?
s !SSISTANDADVICETENANTSON
means of pursuing Supplementary
Welfare Income to assist with rental
payments at every level
s 3EEKADDITIONALREVENUEFROMTHE
Brothers of Charity Services Clare
based on property management
s .EGOTIATEADDITIONALRENTALINCOME
for the provision of accommodation
to support staff in the Brothers of
Charity Services Clare
s 3ECURERENTALINCOMEFROMTENANTS
and other resources where
applicable on an ongoing basis
s 3ECUREGRANTAIDANDANINCREASE
in revenue to secure staffing posts
and to increase the number of staff
and professionals employed as the
company develops
d. Explore means of increasing our
purchasing power.
e. Increase fundraising income.
s 3ETANANNUALBUDGETWHICHWILL
assist in the delivery of the strategic
aims over the next five years
s $EVELOPA&UNDRAISING3TRATEGYAND
set an annual target by 2009
Aim 4 15
To maintain and upgrade housing facilities

Our company is founded on the What Actions will we take?

premises that we provide quality s #ARRYOUTROUTINECHECKSOF
housing and service to our tenants property on an annual basis along
and prospective tenants. Tenants are with regular communication on a
entitled to receive comfortable, warm, regular basis
clean accommodation, decorated and
s 0RODUCEANINFORMATIONPAMPHLET
maintained to a high standard. Our
on maintenance responsibilities
houses aim to be cost efficient to run
and built to sustainable standards. s $EVELOPADATA BASEANDINVENTORY
They aim to accommodate people in checklist of maintenance carried
every stage of their life cycle and be out
designed with future adaptation in
s $EVELOPASCHEDULEDWORK
mind.
programme
Objectives for 2008-2013… s $EVELOPADATA BASEOFSCHEDULED
a. Promote tenant participation in work to be carried out
managing their homes.
b. Ensure houses are maintained to
high standards.
c. Improve the energy efficiency of
older housing stock.
d. Improve the accessibility of housing.
16 Aim 5
To inform Directors and staff of up to date
research, standards and legislation
Professionalism relies on the ability of
staff and Directors to respond quickly
to changing economic conditions,
changing tenant circumstances and to
changes in government policy. Banner
Housing Association encourages staff
and the governing body to embrace
change and foster innovation, to
provide a quality service, to promote
the strategic development of the
company and to adhere to best
practice guidelines by encouraging
continuing professional and personal
development.

What Actions will we take?

s 0RODUCEANDPUBLISHANANNUAL
report for the benefit of all
stakeholders from 2008
s 0ROVIDE$IRECTORSWITH'OVERNANCE
training
s )#3(TRAININGh!N)NTRODUCTIONTO
Objectives for 2008-2013… Social Housing” compulsory for
a. Promote continuing professional Directors and staff
and personal development.
s !CCESSTRAININGSPECIlCTOTHE
b. Embrace the development of the voluntary sector provided by
company and foster innovation. organisation such as “The Wheel”
and the “Carmichael Centre”
c. Encourage professionalism amongst
Directors to promote strategic
development.
d. Encourage professionalism of
staff to promote best practice and
provide a quality service.
e. Promote leadership amongst staff
and Directors.
s 0ROVIDEATRAININGBUDGETBY
to ensure individuals can access
training opportunities appropriate
to their own personal and
professional development
s 2EVIEWMEMBERSHIPTOAFlLIATED
organisations and umbrella groups
on an annual basis
Organisational Capacity
The innovation of staff and the
Governing Body to maximise the
organisational capacity of the
company and to avail of resources
and potential resources over the next
five years will determine the success
of the Strategic Plan. Similarly, it is
vital that emphasis is placed on the
organisational capacity of Banner
Housing Association in order to limit
risk management. Financial and
human resources are the life-blood of
the company
Human Resources
Banner Housing Association has
currently only one paid staff member.
People however, are central to Banner
Housing Association, from Tenants
and Staff to the Governing Body and
are therefore considered a valuable
resource. Individuals involved in
company should be valued and given
the opportunity to use their skills for
the benefit of the company and the
management of property.
s 'OODCOMMUNICATIONISVITALTO
keep the Governing body, tenants
and staff informed, feeling valued
and connected to the organisation.
s !NE
BULLETINSHOULDBEINITIATEDIN to be eliminated within the time
2008
17
s !PRINTEDBULLETINSHOULDBE
circulated every six months
s 4HECONTRIBUTION$IRECTORSMAKE
to the strategic development of
the company and the strength of
the board is highly valued within
Banner Housing Association. It
is important that duties of the
governing body do not drain staff
resources
s $IRECTORSSHOULDBEPROVIDED
with a clear function within the
governing body and their skills,
where possible, should be used to
supplement staff resources
s )NORDERTOPROTECTTHESKILLBASE
and the strength of the board
it is important that Governance
procedures be adopted at an early
stage of the plan
Banner Housing Association has
limited staff members at present and
acknowledges the current reliance
on resources from the Brothers of
Charity. It is therefore important that
as the number of tenants increase and
the company develops, that priority is
given to securing revenue to ensure
that an appropriate staff: tenant ratio
is retained. This will ensure a quality
individualised services is retained
and will promote the strategic
development of the company.
s 2EVENUETOBESECUREDTOSECURE
appropriate staffing levels at an
early stage of the plan
s 2ELIANCEONTHECURRENT
administrative support from
Brothers of Charity Services Clare
frame of the plan
18 Organisational Capacity

Financial Resources

Banner Housing Association relies on What Actions will we take?

capital funding from the Department s #ARRYOUTROUTINECHECKSOF
of the Environment, Heritage and property on an annual basis along
Local Government to purchase or with regular communication on a
build housing for individuals. The regular basis
overall capital or number of units
s 0RODUCEANINFORMATIONPAMPHLET
approved by the Department per
on maintenance responsibilities
annum is not predetermined. It is vital
therefore that good communication is s $EVELOPADATA BASEANDINVENTORY
retained between the Local Authority checklist of maintenance carried
and Banner Housing Association when out
projects are planned in order to limit
s $EVELOPASCHEDULEDWORK
financial exposure.
programme
Effective management, operation s $EVELOPADATA BASEOFSCHEDULED
and strategic development of the work to be carried out
company require a financial plan to be
put in place. A financial budget must
therefore be drawn up on an annual
basis from 2008.

Innovative measures should be

encouraged to increase financial
resources

An independent financial advisor

should be sought within the time
frame of the plan in order to eliminate
conflict of interest between the
Brothers of Charity Services Clare and
Banner Housing Association.
Strategy Implementation 19

This current plan prioritises goals A Tenants Association will be

to be achieved over the next five initiated in early 2008 to aid the
years. It is hoped that this plan will consultation process and will also
enable Banner Housing Association provide tenants with a forum to voice
to strengthen its independence from their opinions on issues they believe
the Brothers of Charity, increase should be prioritised. These issues
the number and quality of homes will be brought before the board
available, improve the service to be considered in future strategic
available to tenants, establish financial development.
stability and strengthen the skills of
staff and Directors. It is acknowledged
from the outset however, that as the Banner Housing
company develops, further strategic
aims may be identified. It important Association
therefore, that the plan is monitored
on an annual basis. It is also consider good
acknowledged that all stakeholders
should be consulted including tenants, communication and
staff, the governing body, support
agencies, the Local Authority and the the involvement of
Irish Council for Social Housing in all
strategic development. all stakeholders to
The overall success of the 2008-2013 be key to the success
Strategic Plan will be determined
by the ability of Banner Housing of the strategic plan.
Association to carry out the aims
and objectives of the company over
the next five years. Progress will be
monitored on an ongoing basis with
annual targets set by operating staff
and the governing body. These targets
will be reviewed and assessed in an
Annual report. The documentation of
progress will encourage the delivery
of targets amongst staff and Directors
alike.
20 References

Department of the Environment,

Heritage and Local Government
(2004),
Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

Department of the Environment,

Heritage and Local Government

Irish Council For Social Housing

(not dated),
Tenancy Agreement.

Irish Council For Social Housing,

Dublin

National Housing Federation (2004),

Tenant’s Handbook; A Plain
English Guide to: Your Tenancy.
By Housing Options A Housing
Advice Service for People with
Learning Disabilities.

National Housing Federation,

The Wheel (2007),

Solid Foundations.

The Wheel
21
© 2007, Banner Housing Association Ltd

Banner Housing Association Ltd

Gort Road Industrial Estate

Ennis
County Clare

Tel: 065 6823 127

Email: info@bannerhousing.ie