The Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society was formed in 1993 and is a not-for-profit, self-help co-operative and member/user organisation.
The Society’s main objects or aims are concerned with the relief of housing needs and the provision and management of housing for community benefit. The Society seeks to provide housing accommodation suited to the needs and financial circumstances of members.
The Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society currently manages three local co-operative housing developments at Cuar-na-Lus, Corrach Bui and Fana Burca in the Galway City area.
Membership
The members of the co-operative housing society are mainly the tenants/residents in the dwellings managed by the Society. Each member/tenant is a shareholder in the Society.
These members were social housing waiting list applicants who have opted for co-operative housing as a solution to their housing needs.
Co-operative rental housing provides good quality accommodation, with security of tenure and affordable rents related to the housing management and maintenance costs and the household income circumstances of each member.
The availability of co-operative social rented housing in Galway city contributes towards a balanced response to local housing needs.
Management
The Society’s management committee (board of directors) consists mainly of representatives of the member/residents in the local co-operative housing developments provided to date.
The members in each local estate elect/appoint representatives to the Society’s management board. They share responsibility for the conduct of the Society’s business affairs and monitor the performance of the housing services and estate management.
A secretary/administrator carries out the housing management operations on behalf of the Society’s management committee.
Recruitment of New Members and Vacancies
The recruitment of new members is related to the availability of co-operative dwellings as the result of vacancies in the existing housing stock, or in the event of a new co-operative housing development. The number of vacancies occurring each year is quite limited.
Applicants for membership seeking housing accommodation in the Society must be genuinely in need of housing/re-housing and are drawn by way of nomination from the local authority (Galway City Council) social housing waiting list.
Applicants are expected to participate in an information and familiarisation programme about the Society’s co-operative organisation and management. This includes details of the rent payable and the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement.
The right is reserved to refuse membership to applicants where there is a previous poor tenancy record, or a record of anti-social behaviour by the applicant, or members of his/her household, such as may affect the management, upkeep and care of a co-operative housing estate.
Co-operative houses let to members of the Society have provided long term housing solutions, over many years, to families and single persons.
Rents
The rents payable by member/tenants are related to housing management and maintenance costs and their household income circumstances, as assessed each year in April. The notification of a significant ongoing charge in the income circumstances may result in a re-assessment and adjustment of the rent payable.
The rent income is applied towards the ongoing housing management, caretaking, repairs and maintenance costs, with provision towards a reserve fund for cyclical or future costs incurred in the upkeep of the co-operative housing stock and communal facilities.
Contact Details
Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society Ltd.
The Hall,
Cuar-na-Lus,
Circular Road,
Galway.
Telephone: +00 353 (0)91 584958
Fax: +00 353 (0)91 584958
E-mail: gchds@eircom.net
Website: www.galwaycooperativehousing.com
View: Office Location Map for Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society Ltd.
Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society Limited is a registered not-for-profit Industrial and Provident Society. The Society has the status of an approved housing body under Housing Legislation and is recognised as being formed for charitable community benefit purposes by the Revenue Commissioners.
Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society Ltd. is also affiliated to the National Association of Building Co-operatives.
