A LIMERICK co-operative housing scheme, where tenants are involved in deciding the future of their housing needs, delivered 136 such homes last year, accounting for 36 per cent of social rented new builds.
The data in Co-operative Housing Ireland’s 2022 annual report, published on Wednesday morning (October 25), also showed that, as of this month, it now owns, manages, and supports 353 Limerick homes in total.
All new member tenants are part of the local co-operative, “allowing them a real say, concrete input into decisions affecting their estates”, Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) stated.
The initiative allows tenants “the opportunity to shape their community and nominate people to be elected to CHI’s Board thereby influencing the direction of Co-operative Housing Ireland as an organisation” it added.
CHI’s growth in Limerick is demonstrating “the strong partnership the organisation has with Limerick City and Council”.
The organisation added that it “currently provides more homes in Limerick city and county than any other Approved Housing Body”.
Speaking at the launch of 137 homes in Amharc Muileann, Bloodmill Road, Singland, Limerick, in July this year, CHI member tenant Sinead O’Loughlin said that since she had been involved in the scheme she has “had such peace of mind and a real sense of security, as have my children”.
“The neighbours I have met on the estate are fantastic,” she added.
CHI’s Director of Policy and Communications, Eoin Carroll, said it was “on track for a record-breaking year in 2023 of over 700 homes which is a keen accomplishment particularly against the backdrop of the challenges the housing sector has faced in the last few years”.
Launching the report, CHI chairperson Pearse O’Shiel said it had delivered 463 homes last year (341 homes in Munster) which provided 1,853 people with a home.
Mr O’Shiel said CHI was operating in 22 counties in partnership with 29 local authorities.
