OUR VISION

Thriving, inclusive, sustainable communities  

OUR MISSION  

We provide hands-on support and expertise to local communities, enabling them to bring about positive change in their neighbourhoods.  

OUR VALUES

Participation: We encourage active participation by citizens in local decision-making processes that affect their local community. 

Inclusiveness: We acknowledge and encourage respect for cultural, ethnic, and social differences within all communities.   

Empowerment: We help build the capacity of individuals and communities to take more ownership of their neighbourhoods and bring about positive change. 

Sustainability: We promote initiatives that have long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits for the communities we support. 

Independence: We use our independence to enable trusted partnership working between local communities and different stakeholders, especially social landlords and statutory agencies. 

Agility:  We are flexible and responsive to changing circumstances or new information, and support communities to share and learn from their lived experiences.

OUR WORK 

THEME 1: STRENGTHENED & VALUED COMMUNITY VOICES 

Strategic Outcomes / What we want to achieve

  • Lived experience of tenants and residents influencing decision-making processes of social landlords and other decision-makers 

  • Increased representation of diverse community voices 

  • Community participation and engagement are valued by both social landlords and key decision makers 

Strategic Objectives / How we will do this. 

  1. Act as a key strategic partner to the Housing Executive in the implementation of its Community Involvement and Cohesion Strategy 2024-29 

  2. Raise the standard of tenant engagement/participation practices across Ireland, North and South 

  3. Encourage and develop tenant/resident representation in existing and new communities, especially in those which are currently under-represented

  4. Enable and empower tenants/residents to influence housing policy, practice and decision making through evidence-based research and via the work of the Housing Policy Panel 

  5. Promote and show the value and impact of tenant/community participation and engagement.  

THEME 2: SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES 

Strategic Outcomes / What we want to achieve 

  • Communities have increased ability and confidence to be self-sustaining 

  • Increased cohesion and inclusion within communities 

  • Improved sense of citizenship, community pride, well-being and ownership 

Strategic Objectives / How we will do this  

  1. Provide community representatives with the necessary information, training and confidence to become leaders within their respective communities

  2.  Support communities to identify and secure the necessary resources to become more sustainable

  3. Help improve the quality of life for residents and tenants living in engaged communities/neighbourhoods

  4. Support communities to explore community identity, representativeness and inclusion

  5. Promote and develop digital inclusion skills and knowledge

  6. Research and develop new and innovative approaches to community development & community succession planning

THEME 3: A SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT ORGANISATION 

Strategic Outcomes / What we want to achieve 

  • SC is a trusted organisation and recognised for its expertise, experience and independence

  • SC is a well-governed and resourced organisation

Strategic Objectives / How we will do this  

  1. Position SC as leading tenant participation and community engagement experts  

  2. Develop diverse and sustainable financial resources through SC’s trading subsidiary (Empowering Communities) and by working in partnership with others in the VCSE, corporate and private sectors

  3. Continue to attract, retain and develop a well-qualified, professional and valued staff team

  4. Ensure appropriate structures and support for organisational good governance 

  5. Develop organisational effectiveness and efficiency through new technologies and the attainment of relevant accreditations and external quality assurance recognition

  6. Implement an organisational climate response in working towards Net Zero and Decarbonisation

  7. Embrace and encourage diversity among Board and staff by fostering a more dynamic and inclusive organisation