Cork initiative could offer cost-effective solution to Ireland’s housing crisis

Cork County Council and a veterans’ charity join forces to provide group housing, easing the strain on social housing

The ONE veteran's support centre in Cobh, from left, Joe Lawlor, manager; Hugh Ferguson, resident; Pat Feen, chairperson Cobh ONE; Willie Hourihane, resident and Cllr Ger Curley, Independent Ireland Cobh ONE member. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

An initiative piloted in Co Cork could serve as a national template for easing the housing crisis by providing ‘group homes’ for like-minded people.

Cork County Council teamed up with ONE, the Defence Forces veterans’ charity, to create the pilot. It resulted in three residents moving out of the five-room ONE veterans’ support centre in Cobh and into a council house.