The Goodwill Housing Co-operative Society was formed in 2003 as a not-for-profit, self-help co-operative housing organisation.

The Society’s main objects or aims are concerned with the relief of housing needs and the provision and management of housing for the benefit of members and their communities. The Society’s housing activities are concerned with contributing to the relief of local housing needs in the Newbridge, County Kildare area. The Society currently manages 26 houses at Rosconnell Road South/ Rosconnell Brooke, Newbridge.

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 the Newbridge, Co. Kildare area 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 who are the users of the co-operatives housing services.

The members 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.

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.

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 (Kildare County Council).

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 or apartments let to members are intended to provide long term housing solutions, over many years.

The Co-operative Housing Society expects fair dealing, solidarity and support from all its members.

Rents

The rents payable by member/tenants for co-operative social rented dwellings are related to the housing management and maintenance costs and their household income circumstances, as assessed each year in the month of April, rather than market level rents. Members undertake in the signed tenancy agreements to pay the rent amount in full and on time each month (weekly payments are accepted) and to care for the dwellings let to them.

The rents are applied to meet the ongoing housing management, caretaking, repairs and maintenance costs, with financial provision towards a reserve fund for cyclical or future costs incurred in the upkeep of the co-operative rental dwelling stock, estates and apartment buildings.

Contact Details:

The Secretary
Goodwill Housing Co-operative Society Ltd.
c/o KVB
Edward Street
Cutlery Road
Newbridge
Co. Kildare

Goodwill Housing Co-operative 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.
Goodwill Housing Co-operative Society Ltd. is also affiliated to the National Association of Building Co-operatives.