L-AWTORITA` TAD-DJAR TNIEDI L-QUALITY SERVICE CHARTER

L-amalgamazzjoni tal-funzjonijiet tad-Dipartiment ghall-Akkomodazzjoni Socjali ma' l-Awtorita' tad-Djar, li ser tibda titwettaq permezz ta' sistema gdida ta' punti mill-bidu tas-sena d-diehla, mhux ser iggib maghha skossi fil-livell ta' servizz moghti mill-Awtorita' tad-Djar anki jekk lill-Awtorita' ser jizdiedilha l-ammont ta' xoghol minhabba l-amministrazzjoni ta' l-iskemi ghall-akkomodazzjoni socjali. Dan qalu l-Agent Prim Ministru u Ministru ghall-Politika Socjali Lawrence Gonzi waqt konferenza ghall-ahbarijiet li fiha nieda Quality Service Charter ghall-Awtorita' tad-Djar.

Dan ic-Charter huwa l-ewwel wiehed li qatt gie ppubblikat minn kumpanija parastatali u ghandu jservi bhala gwida fejn wiehed isib informazzjoni dwar is-servizzi li tipprovdi l-Awtorita` kif ukoll il-livell ta' servizz li lejh qieghda timmira l-Awtorita`.

Ms. Marisa Micallef Leyson, Chairperson tal-Awtorita' tad-Djar, qalet li dan ic-Charter jispjega l-obbligazzjonijiet ta' l-Awtorita` lejn il-pubbliku. Ic-Charter jitratta dwar l-obbligi ta' l-Awtorita` li huma bbazati fuq certi valuri. Ms. Micallef Leyson spjegat li "l-Awtorita` twieghed li l-klijenti taghha jigu milqughin f'ambjent komdu, nadif u accessibbli. Peress li l-Awtorita` temmen li l-klijent ghandu dritt li jkun jaf ma' min qieghed jitkellem, l-istaff kollu jkun liebes distintiv li juri l-isem u l-kariga tieghu. Ic-Charter jiddikjara li l-klijenti ta' l-Awtorita` jigu ttrattati b'kortezija, onesta' u rispett u li ser tahdem biex tifhem il-bzonnijiet tal-klijenti. Il-klijenti ha jigu nvoluti fid-decizjonijiet li jittiehdu u l-applikazzjonijiet ser ikunu trasparenti ghall-ahhar. Ic-Charter iwieghed ukoll li hadd ma jigi ttratat b'diskriminazzjoni fuq bazi ta' eta', sess, religjon jew dizabilita'. Wiehed ser ikollu wkoll l-opportunita' li jivverifika l-ipprocessar ta' l-applikazzjoni tieghu kif ukoll li joggezzjona ghad-decizjoni li tkun hadet l-Awtorita`."

Ic-Charter jispjega ukoll dwar l-iskemi li toffri l-istess Awtorita` u min jista' jibbenifika minnhom. L-iskemi jinkludu ghajnuna biex jitrangaw residenzi privati, ghajnuna biex tikri post u ghajnuna biex issir sid ta' darek. Ic-Charter jispjega kif il-klijenti ta' l-Awtorita` jistghu jakkwistaw informazzjoni bil-miktub dwar kull wahda mill-Iskemi. L-Awtorita` dejjem tilqa' suggerimenti minghand il-pubbliku u b'dan il-ghan wiehed isib suggestion box fir-Reception ta' l-ufficini ta' l-Awtorita`. L-ilmenti jistghu jigu solvuti mis-Sezzjoni tal-Customer Care, izda jekk wiehed jixtieq jiehu iktar passi, jista jipprezenta ilment formali lic-Chief Executive.

F'dan il-fuljett, wiehed isib ukoll il-hinijiet li l-Awtorita` hija miftuha ghall-pubbliku kif ukoll in-numri tat-telefon ta'organizzazzjonijiet fejn wiehed jista' jsib forom ohra ta' ghajnuna.

HOUSING AUTHORITY LAUNCHES QUALITY SERVICE CHARTER

The first-step in the amalgamation process bound to take place in the beginning of next year with the coming into force of a new points system for the allocation of social housing will not be bringing about a reduction is service delivery levels, even though the Housing Authority will be taking over the functions previously carried out by the Department for Social Housing. The new points system will transfer the operation of schemes related to social accomodation from the Housing Department to the Housing Authority. This notwithstanding the Authority is stepping up its initiatives to ensure customer service delivery levels. Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Social Policy Lawrence Gonzi said this during a media launch of the Quality Service Charters for the Housing Authority making it the first Charter to be launched by a government agency.

This Charter will act as a point of reference where one may find information regarding the services offered by the Authority. It also outlines the high standards of service that the Authority is aiming for.

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Micallef Leyson explained that "one will have the facility to verify the processing of one's application as well as to object to a decision taken by the Authority. The Charter explains the Housing Authority's obligations towards the public. Clients will be met in a clean, comfortable and accessible environment and all Housing Authority staff may be recognized by their name badges. The Charter also states that the Authority will treat all clients with courtesy, honesty and respect and will involve them in the decision-making process. Furthermore there will be no discrimination on the basis of age, gender, religion or disability."

The Charter discusses the schemes offered by the Housing Authority. These include financial help to repair private residences, rent subsidies and home ownership schemes. The Housing Authority is always open to new suggestions from the public for which purpose one may make use of the suggestion box found in the reception area. The Customer Care section deals with most complaints, however a grievance of a more serious nature may be taken up with the Chief Executive.

This Quality Service Charter indicates the hours that the Authority is open to the public together with telephone numbers of other organizations that offer various forms of help.