Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014 outlines the organization's strategic plan over a 3 year period from 2012 to 2014. The plan has 4 main priorities: 1. Providing quality accommodation for women and children affected by domestic violence. 2. Developing and providing a range of high quality support services to empower women and children who have experienced domestic violence. 3. Advocating for policy and legislative changes to better address the housing and homelessness issues faced by those affected by domestic violence. 4. Strengthening Sonas' organizational framework and internal capacity to effectively deliver services. The plan details objectives and indicators under each priority to guide Sonas' work over the strategic period

1. Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014
Pathway to a Safe Home

2. Sonas Housing
Association would
like to thank all of our
supporters for helping
us in our work.

3. Table of Contents
Chairperson’s foreword 2
Introduction to Sonas 3
Context to strategy 4
Sonas strategy overview 2012-2014 7
Priority 1: Quality accommodation provision 8
Priority 2: Services provision and development 9
Priority 3: Advocating for change 10
Priority 4: Supporting organisational framework 11
Implementation and monitoring 12

4. Chairperson’s foreword
Welcome to Pathway to a In the term of our last strategic plan, Sonas as an organisation has
faced many challenges - an ongoing recession, changes in housing
Safe Home, Sonas Housing and homelessness policy and funding cuts. Sonas has ensured that
Association’s Strategic Plan the issue of domestic and gender-based violence remains on the
for 2012-2014. This plan agenda in this rapidly changing environment and that high quality
services for women and children affected by domestic violence
builds on our work of almost
continue to be available.
twenty years in providing
support and accommodation We have ensured that services for survivors of domestic violence are
embedded in the new pathway model of homeless services provision
to women and children
and we are delighted to be recognised as a leading provider of
made homeless as a result domestic violence housing support services in Ireland in the 2010
of domestic violence. reconfiguration of homeless services.
I have many people to thank – our funders who recognise the need
for our services and continue to support the delivery of our services;
our donors and those who fundraise on our behalf who contribute
so much to us and help women and children directly.
I would like to also thank the staff and the board of Sonas, all of whom
work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of women and children are met.
We are very grateful to all of those who have supported us in any way
and we hope you continue to do so in the term of our next strategic plan.
Rachel Mullen
Chairperson of Sonas Domestic violence is still a significant problem in Irish society
affecting one in five women. In the last three years, Sonas has seen an
incremental rise in the demand for our services. In the next three years
we aim to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of women and
children affected by domestic violence in high quality housing projects.
In addition, we will continue to advocate for change on the issue of
domestic violence and to work towards an Ireland where violence
against women and children is no longer tolerated. Central to all of this
is good organisational development and a focus on quality standards:
the foundation behind our delivery of quality front-line services.
This plan outlines our strategy to ensure there is a pathway to a
safe home for women and children who are currently stuck in very
dangerous domestic situations. We look forward to many more years
of providing support, housing and refuge to those in vulnerable
situations who need our help.
2 Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014

5. Introduction to Sonas
Sonas Housing Association was established in 1992 as a specialist social Women and their children
housing organisation which provides accommodation and/or support
often become homeless
to women and their children who are homeless primarily because of
domestic violence. as a result of domestic
violence. Over 25% of the
Sonas understands domestic violence as a violation of human rights
undermining the right of women and children to live free of cruel,
women who presented
inhuman and degrading treatment. Sonas recognises domestic to the Irish Homeless
violence as a gender-based crime and an expression of the unequal Persons Unit had become
position of women in society.
homeless as a result of
Sonas currently has a stock of almost 100 supported housing units domestic violence
across a number of different areas in Dublin as well as Viva House crisis
(Safe Home Report, Sonas Housing
refuge, which opened in the Fingal area in 2010. Association, 2004)
Achievements in the last strategic plan period
Sonas has achieved a lot over the lifetime of its last Strategic Plan 2008-2010 and into 2011. Among the key
achievements of this period are:
» The provision of high quality services and amenities for women and children. Between 2008 and 2011
we delivered support, housing and refuge to approximately 500 women and 500 children:
• Supporting almost 200 women and 220 children in supported housing
• Supporting almost 300 women and 270 children (as at end of 2011) in Viva House crisis service
since June 2010
» The completion and opening of Viva House, a 24-hour refuge in Dublin 15
» The opening of 30 new units of accommodation and the provision of a housing support service
in Stepaside and Belmayne
» Winner of two ICSH Awards in 2011 for Best Homeless Project for Viva House and Best Collaboration
Initiative for Belmayne
» The successful implementation of a quality standards framework for housing support and refuge
services - incorporating regular service user feedback and a service user database system
» Being listed as a leading provider of domestic violence housing support services in the 2010
reconfiguration of homeless services
» Increasing the profile of Sonas’ work through increased policy, interagency and media work
» Co-ordinated and published a feasibility study showing there is a need for a refuge facility in
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
Pathway to a Safe Home 3

6. Context to Pathway
to a Safe Home - National National
Sonas Strategic Plan Funders Policy-makers
2012-2014 Domestic Sonas Homeless
Violence Sector Housing Sector
Sonas is operating in a rapidly changing
Association
environment. See Figure 1 for a schematic Support Organisations Social Housing
Organisations
representation of the location of Sonas in Referral Organisations
the context of funders, policy-makers and Dublin Regional
the domestic violence and homeless sectors Refuges Homeless Executive
Local Authorities
respectively. The changes we encountered during
the lifetime of the last Sonas strategic plan 2008-
2010 had and will continue to have a strong
influence on the future direction and development
Figure 1: A schematic representation
of Sonas. Key among these developments is the
of the location of Sonas in the domestic
significant changes in national homelessness and
violence and homeless sectors
domestic violence policy and the ongoing impact
of a deep recession.
The housing first approach
Up until relatively recently the focus of Sonas was on the provision of supported transitional accommodation
to women and children made homeless primarily as a result of domestic violence.
The launch of The Way Home, A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland, (2008 to 2013) in 2008 marked
a significant move away from the use of emergency hostels and transitional accommodation options and a
move towards a ‘housing first’ policy with the provision of more long-term housing with appropriate visiting
supports where necessary. The implementation of this new policy saw Sonas engage in a detailed review and
reconfiguration of its services away from the provision of transitional accommodation and towards the provision
of more permanent housing accompanied by the development of visiting support services.
Sonas was identified in the Homeless Agency’s 2010 Pathway to Home report as one of a small number of named
organisations providing supported accommodation. Sonas has also been identified as a provider of specialist
visiting housing support for individuals who have experienced domestic violence. Sonas is now actively engaged
in the development of these services and is looking forward to their effective rollout.
4 Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014

7. National domestic violence policy
The National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (2010-2014) was published in early
2010 by Cosc. Significantly, the first national HSE Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was
also published in 2010 designed to dovetail into the national strategy. The aim of the national strategy is that
by the end of 2014 all incidences of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland will be understood
and recognised and will be unacceptable to society. The strategy also aims to ensure that by 2014 there will be
increased safety for victims together with an improved level of service provision and increased accountability
of perpetrators. Sonas is identified within this strategy as a domestic violence support service in the north-east
region. The HSE has conducted an audit of domestic violence services and supports available around the country
that has yet to be published.
New approaches to family support service
delivery
The provision of support for women is clearly linked to the pressing child protection agenda and the HSE’s Family
Support Network approach. A number of different family support initiatives and models are currently being
piloted. These include the differential response model, the early prevention initiative, the development of more
localised models of family support and the application and use of common assessment frameworks. If these
approaches prove useful it is likely that they will be rolled out on a wider basis, with clear roles and responsibilities
assigned to various voluntary and statutory services.
The impact of the recession
The current economic recession coupled with stringent austerity measures has seen both significant falls in
income levels and severe cuts in public spending. These are both likely to continue in the short to medium term
and have had a serious impact on key areas of interest to Sonas.
Rising levels of demand for homeless and domestic violence services
Rising levels of unemployment and falling income levels are leading to an increase in the number of people
experiencing homelessness. Certain aspects of the recession (for example redundancy, falling incomes) can
escalate domestic violence, with women out of home because of domestic violence increasingly struggling
to find safe accommodation and the supports they need to regain control over their lives.
Significant cuts in funding for services and supports
There has been a significant reduction in funding for a range of services. Domestic violence services have not
escaped these cuts and funding for the sector has fallen by approximately 12% since 2008. Cuts in funding levels
also mean that it is very unlikely that any additional capital funding for the housing/homeless sector will be
available in the short to medium-term.
Pathway to a Safe Home 5

8. Thanks to Sonas,
I learned it wasn’t my fault
and I learned how to live on
my own again and survive.
Maura
Name has been changed to protect identity
6 Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014

9. Sonas strategy overview 2012-2014
Our key practice Sonas Mission
principles are to:
» Maximise the safety of women and children
To provide high quality housing,
support and refuge services to
» Empower women to move from crisis to safety
and independence through the provision of quality women and children affected by
services domestic violence, empowering
» Advocate for the rights of women and children them to regain control over all
at an individual, institutional and policy level aspects of their lives.
» Provide a woman- and child-centred approach that
recognises the diverse needs and experiences of
service users
» Apply an evidence-based and outcome-focused
approach to our work.
Sonas strategic aims Sonas Vision
2012-2014
To be a key service provider in
» To provide good quality, safe accommodation
for women and children out of home because of domestic violence accommodation
domestic violence support services and a leading
» To provide a range of accessible, high quality services voice influencing policy and
and supports to empower and equip women and public debate on housing and
their children who have experienced domestic
homelessness issues related to
violence with the skills to live independent lives
domestic violence.
» To be a leading voice and a positive influence
informing policy and public debate on housing and
homelessness issues related to domestic violence
» To put in place the necessary organisational
framework required to facilitate effective services
delivery and development.
Pathway to a Safe Home 7

10. Priority 1
Quality accommodation provision
Our Aim
To provide good quality, safe,
accommodation for women
and children out of home
because of domestic violence
Why Our Objectives
Access to safe housing is a 1.1 To implement good housing management repair and
maintenance service, as well as planned maintenance
basic human right programmes (for the Sonas housing stock and Viva
House) with the aid of regular house condition surveys.
1.2 To ensure high levels of occupancy and low levels of
voids, to facilitate accommodation of more women and
children who may need Sonas services.
1.3 To expand the housing portfolio, where opportunities
arise and resources are available, to meet identified
needs, and if appropriate, to collaborate with others to
acquire additional accommodation.
Indicators
1.4 To implement and monitor high quality accommodation
• Number of women and children
standards.
provided with quality safe
accommodation (annually)
• Percentage of units provided by Sonas
that meet predefined quality standards
(annually)
• Minimum 80% tenant satisfaction levels.
8 Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014

11. Priority 2
Services provision and development
Our Aim
To provide a range of
accessible, high quality
services and supports to
empower and equip women
and their children who
have experienced domestic
violence with the skills to live
independent lives
Why Our Objectives
Women and children who are 2.1 Provision of both on-site housing support as well as
flexible specialist visiting housing supports using the key
victims of domestic abuse working and care and case management approaches.
have been isolated and
disempowered. The provision 2.2 Provision of high quality refuge and outreach services
of specialist support services using the key working and care and case management
approaches.
can assist them to gain self-
confidence and to take control 2.3 Provision of specific domestic violence programmes (ie
of their lives Freedom Programme) and evaluation of same.
2.4 Provision of specialist children’s services and supports.
Indicators 2.5 Development of models of service and quality standards
• Number of women and children and evaluative framework for domestic violence services,
supported by Sonas based on analysis of outcomes, evidence and service
user feedback.
• High percentage of women supported
by Sonas achieving their (support plan)
goals
• Minimum 80% satisfaction levels with
supports received from Sonas
Pathway to a Safe Home 9

12. Priority 3
Advocating for change
Our Aim
To be a leading voice and a
positive influence informing
policy and public debate on
housing and homelessness
issues related to domestic
violence
Why Our Objectives
To ensure that legislation and 3.1 To influence key policy and legislative processes through
networking, collaboration and policy submissions
policy processes are better
informed and strengthened to 3.2 To increase awareness of the needs of women and
more effectively tackle the key children who have to leave home due to domestic
issues affecting women and violence.
children who are affected by
3.3 To increase awareness of Sonas and the work it does to
domestic violence address the needs of women and children affected by
domestic violence.
3.4 To ensure that the experiences and outcomes for
women and children accessing services from Sonas are
Indicators effectively monitored, recorded and communicated
when appropriate.
• Number of policy related submissions
and briefings prepared 1) by Sonas and
2) by Sonas in collaboration with others
• Number of media articles and features
published/broadcast and their related
circulation
• Percentage of the policy related fora
Sonas participates in that contribute
to positive changes for women and
children experiencing domestic violence.
10 Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014

13. Priority 4
Supporting organisational framework
Our Aim
To put in place the necessary
organisational framework
(structures, procedures,
resources and policies)
required to facilitate effective
services delivery and
development
Why Our Objectives
Sonas needs sufficient internal 4.1 To value and develop the Sonas people through
continuous professional development and application
capacity to enable it meet its
of best practice human resource policies.
mission and sustain itself in the
longer term 4.2 Effective financial management and control.
4.3 To maximise funding opportunities.
4.4 To support effective internal communication.
4.5 To further develop efficient systems for administration,
IT and file management which will effectively support
Indicators the operations of Sonas.
• Percentage of Service Level Agreements
successfully completed
• Meet all statutory reporting
requirements
• Number of Sonas people trained
annually.
Pathway to a Safe Home 11

14. Implementation and monitoring
Responsibility for overseeing Progress in relation to the implementation of the plan will be assessed
using the series of performance indicators. There are at least three
the implementation of the headline performance indicators for each strategic priority. Within
strategic plan rests with the each of these headline performance indicators will be action-specific
Sonas Board of Management. indicators. These indicators will be used to develop individual staff
work plans.
The Sonas Board will review overall plan implementation and progress
twice a year. Depending on progress and the emergence of new issues,
the plan may be amended and updated.
About this plan
Pathway to a Safe Home, the Sonas strategic plan
2012-2014, was developed by the Sonas Board of
Management with support from the CEO. Grainne
Healy and Kathy Walsh were commissioned to co-
ordinate the plan development process. The plan
was agreed and finalised by the Board in late 2011.
The development of the plan involved:
» Research into the wider national context
» Consultations with almost one third of
all Sonas service users (across a number
of locations)
» A workshop with Sonas staff, the senior
management team and the Sonas Board
of Management
» Interviews with a number of key agencies
involved in different aspects of funding,
policy-making, homelessness, housing
and domestic violence policy and
service provision.
12 Sonas Housing Strategic Plan 2012 - 2014

15. I came to Sonas two years ago -
broken, battered, with no life.
In two years I have received
the help and support I need.
I have a life now.
Eileen
Name has been changed to protect identity
Pathway to a Safe Home 13

16. www.DesignPrintworks.ie
Sonas Housing Association Ltd
14 Bachelor's Walk, Dublin 1
Telephone: +353 1 8720068 Facsimile: +353 1 6865005
Email : info@sonashousing.ie Website: www.sonashousing.ie
Registered Charity: CHY 10872
Registered Company Limited by Guarantee Company No: 195618