In this episode of Housing Insights, host Roslyn Molloy explores the growing potential of Community-Led Housing (CLH) in Ireland. She is joined by Hugh Brennan, founder and CEO of Ó Cualann Co-Housing Alliance, an organization committed to building communities, not just houses. Hugh shares his background in construction and humanitarian work, which led him to focus on Ireland's affordability crisis. He explains that CLH is an umbrella term for models like cooperatives, co-housing, and community land trusts, characterized by collective decision-making and shared control. Drawing on Ó Cualann’s first development in Ballymun, Hugh discusses the goal of achieving affordability in perpetuity, a major challenge in Ireland due to banks' historical reluctance to finance schemes with restrictions on onward sales linked to wage inflation. He emphasizes that while the majority of Irish people may be individualistic, there is a 20% segment of the population interested in CLH, including Irish-speaking, LGBT, older people, and self-sufficiency groups. The conversation highlights key barriers, lack of a central CLH Hub for support, access to land, and specialized finance and points to European examples and existing state schemes like STAR (Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental) as potential pathways forward. Ultimately, Hugh’s message is that CLH is a safe investment, essential for tackling the worldwide "financialization of housing," and must be supported by the state to deliver social and affordable homes outside of the private market. Links and Resources Guest Contact (Ó Cualann Co-Housing Alliance): Hugh Brennan: hugh@ocualann.ie General Info: info@ocualann.ie Introducing Community-led Housing: Introducing Community-led Housing Community-led housing as Affordable Housing: Community-Led Housing as Affordable Housing Community-led Housing for Age Friendly Living: Community-led Housing for Age Friendly Living State Support for Community-led Housing: State Support for Community-Led Housing Housing Agency News and events page: Community-Led Housing Webinar Series | The Housing Agency Self Organised Architecture roadmapping reports: Roadmapping a Viable Community-Led Housing Sector for Ireland Darinke Czischke’s book Together Towards Collaborative Living: Together: Towards Collaborative Living | TU Delft OPEN Books

In this episode of Housing Insights, host Roslyn Molloy speaks with Jim Baneham, Director of Delivery and Innovation at The Housing Agency, about the need to increase apartment building and viability in Ireland's major urban centres. Ireland is significantly behind its EU neighbours, with about 13% of its housing stock in apartments compared to the EU average of 46%. Jim explains the national planning push for compact living and urban density to accommodate a growing population, projecting a rise to around 6.1 million by 2040. The core of the discussion is the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme, a €450 million fund committed to incentivise the delivery of up to 5,000 new apartments specifically for owner-occupiers. The scheme aims to address the viability gap (the higher cost of building apartments compared to houses) which has largely pushed apartment building into the rental sector. Jim details how the scheme works through an "open book" process and discusses other government measures, like VAT reduction and design standard changes, intended to make apartment development more viable for purchasers. Links and Resources Housing Agency Website: housingagency.ie (To find more information about the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme Government Policy: Housing for All plan Support Schemes for Purchasers (Mentioned): Help to Buy, First Home Scheme

In this episode of Housing Insights, host David Silke is joined by Rob Lowth, Director of the Housing First National Office in the Housing Agency. The focus is on Housing First, a housing-led approach designed for people with complex needs, a history of rough sleeping, or long-term use of emergency accommodation. Rob explains that Housing First provides permanent, secure accommodation alongside intensive wraparound supports to help tenants maintain their tenancies. The model, which originated with Dr. Sam Tsemberis in the United States around 1990, is highly evidence-based and has proven to be a more cost-effective option than long-term emergency accommodation. The discussion covers the joint housing and health approach, the critical role of clinical staff, the current milestone of over 1,000 tenancies across all 31 local authorities, and the national success rate of approximately 80% in tenancy sustainment. Links and Resources Contact for Homeless Individuals: Their local authority's Homeless Action Team. Contact for Property Owners: info@housingfirst.ie (Housing First National Office).

In this episode of Housing Insights, host David Silke dives into the critical topic of Cost Rental in Ireland, a new housing tenure designed to address the needs of the "missing middle", those with moderate incomes who are above the social housing threshold but can't afford open market rents. David is joined by Gwen Perry, Head of Affordable Housing at the Housing Agency, who has over 20 years of experience in the housing sector. Gwen explains that Cost Rental is a non-profit model where rent is strictly based on the cost of building, managing, and maintaining the home, drawing inspiration from successful long-term rental options in countries like Austria and Denmark. The discussion covers the legislative foundation laid by the Affordable Housing Act 2021, the progress of over 3,800 homes delivered to date, and the future goal of delivering 10,000 Cost Rental homes. Listeners will learn about eligibility criteria, the significant advantages like security and stable, professionally managed homes, and how to apply for a scheme. Affordable Homes Website: affordablehomes.ie (Central platform for available cost rental and affordable purchase homes) Legislation: Affordable Housing Act in 2021. Cost Rental Providers: Approved Housing Bodies (Clúid, Respond, Circle, Oaklee), Land Development Agency, and Local Authorities.

Welcome to Housing Insights, the podcast that cuts through the complexity of housing in Ireland.