New cohousing community planned for Cork 'missing piece of the puzzle' to solve housing crisis

Cohousing Communities Ireland called on Government to establish a development fund to support “demonstrator” cohousing communities in Cork, Dublin, and Mayo

A community group planning the development of three innovative cohousing communities in Cork, Dublin, and Mayo believe the initiatives can ease Ireland's housing crisis, as they pushed its case with housing minister James Browne on Tuesday.

A community group planning the development of three innovative cohousing communities in Cork, Dublin, and Mayo believe the initiatives can ease Ireland's housing crisis, as they pushed its case with housing minister James Browne on Tuesday.

Cohousing Communities Ireland is calling on the Government to establish a self-financing revolving development fund to support the establishment of the three first “demonstrator” cohousing communities, and for the unlocking of three major barriers to cohousing. A new policy paper, The Case for Cohousing Communities for People 50+, was also published on Tuesday by Cohousing Communities Ireland, which argues that Ireland has a major housing policy blind spot by focusing almost exclusively on first-time buyers and social housing. 

"Cohousing won't solve the housing crisis on its own, but it can become one of the missing pieces of the puzzle," said Cohousing Communities Ireland chair and co-founder, Anne Connolly. "It gives older people a positive choice about how they want to live while freeing up the larger homes desperately needed by younger families. With modest policy changes, Ireland could unlock a proven housing model that delivers social, economic and environmental benefits for generations."

More than 90% of older homeowners say they would move from large family homes into a cohousing community if one existed in Ireland, the group's report said. Representatives met with Mr Browne and opposition party housing spokespeople at Leinster House.

Ireland's over 50s to exceed 2m by 2030

There are 1.76m people aged over 50 in Ireland, and that figure is expected to exceed 2m by 2030, and the survey of more than 120 members of Cohousing Communities Ireland found that 98% currently live in homes with one or more unoccupied bedrooms. Almost two-thirds have two empty bedrooms, while 36% have three unoccupied bedrooms. Most significantly, more than nine in every 10 respondents (91%) said they would choose to move into a new home within a cohousing community if that option were available. Three-quarters (73%) said a two-bedroom home would be sufficient.

Ms Connolly says many people who are 50+ whose children have left home are living in houses that are too large, too expensive to maintain, and often in the wrong location.

“They want to "rightsize" into smaller, energy-efficient homes in supportive communities, while remaining independent and active, but suitable options simply do not exist. As a result, hundreds of thousands remain in under-occupied family homes, while younger families struggle to find suitable housing," Ms Connolly said.

Cohousing Communities Ireland says the three main barriers to preventing Ireland's first cohousing communities from being built were finding suitable sites, financing, and supportive Government policy. The group has called for local authorities, the HSE, Defence Forces, the Land Development Agency and other public agencies with substantial land banks to be required to sell or release a percentage of their land for community-led housing for people 50+. 

 The policy says cohousing communities have been successful in Denmark, the UK, USA, and Canada where governments have tackled barriers including access to suitable land at below-market cost, reduced financial risk at the early stages of development and an enabling infrastructure.

It says developers will be reluctant to be ‘first movers’ on cohousing until the demand for this new type of housing is demonstrated, and it is proven that sales can be successfully.

 “Our survey challenges one of the biggest misconceptions in the current housing debate that older homeowners don't want to move. It shows the exact opposite. They are ready to move, but only if they have somewhere suitable to move locally. The problem isn't unwillingness; it's the absence of choice," said Ms Connolly. 

She said Ireland's current housing policy fails to recognise that today's over-50 generation is healthier, more active and want to remain independent for as long as possible.

"They don’t need supported housing or nursing homes. They want manageable, energy-efficient homes in communities where they know their neighbours, feel secure and can enjoy companionship while maintaining complete independence with their own front door."