Simon Brooke was a former Clúid Board member and Head of Policy. Simon was a longstanding advocate of social and affordable housing in Ireland. His passion for the sector and for the provision of high-quality, affordable, secure homes for individuals and families across the country was reflected in his work over many decades.

Up until his untimely death in November 2019, Simon worked tirelessly to break the stigmas attached to social housing and to ensure that everyone in Ireland had a great place to live.

Simon was also a passionate supporter of exchange of best practice and policy in housing.

It is on this basis that the inaugural Simon Brooke Lecture was held last year, a celebration of Simon and a springboard for housing policy discussions. This first Lecture, which was held online, focused on learning from international housing policy.

This year, the focus is on the intersection between domestic violence and housing in Ireland: how access to social housing can be improved for survivors of domestic violence and how can we improve the response of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and Local Authorities to domestic violence within social housing. This is particularly relevant in the context of the forthcoming new national strategy on sexual and domestic violence.

Speaking at the event will be Paula Mayock, Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work and Social Policy (Trinity College Dublin), Lisa Marmion, Services Development Manager (Safe Ireland), Claire Feeney, Senior Executive Officer (Housing Agency), Clúid’s own Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Head of Clann and the winner of the Simon Brooke Award, Sarah Kennedy.

The Simon Brooke Lecture takes place on Thursday, June 2nd in the Wood Quay Venue, Fishamble St., Dublin at 6 p.m. Tickets are free.

Please note that there will be a videographer and a photographer at this event. If you would prefer not be videod or photographed, please inform a member of staff at the event.