Sophia

Lobbying Organisation Sophia

Date published 15 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Housing

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details Official opening, 26th March 2025, by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle of the Seminar ‘Adapting Housing First: Bridging Gaps, Meeting Needs’- an Erasmus+ project and collaboration between Sophia Housing, Y-Foundation Finland, Arrels Fundació, and Housing First Berlin (funded by Léargas). Billy Kelleher, MEP was also invited to officially open the seminar but was not available to attend.

Intended results The Seminar focused on how the Housing First programme has been developed & adapted across Europe. Those participating in the Seminar had an opportunity to learn from new evidence insights on the Housing First model as well as contributing their view on this key intervention to addressing homelessness. The Seminar included presentations from practitioners, state agencies, academics, leaders in the construction & homes industry. An objective of the Erasmus+ project is to publish a policy brief.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Michael McCarthy, Chairperson, Sophia Housing Association, Tony O’Riordan, C.E.O Sophia Housing Association.

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

A fact sheet/invitation to officially open the seminar was sent by email to the Secretary to the Lord Mayor, Cllr Dan Boyle, as per the required protocol by Cork City Council.

Phone call (1)

A phone call was made to Billy Kelleher M.E.P inviting him to officially open the seminar. He was not available to do so.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Dan Boyle Councillor (Cork City Council)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)