Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society Ltd
Introducing Galway Co-operative Housing:
Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society Ltd. (GCHDS) also referred to as Galway Co-operative Housing was formed in 1993. This resulted from original member’s very personal experience and awareness of housing need in Galway. Consistent with this experience and awareness Galway Co-operative Housing sees housing as a basic human right, critical to a person’s ability to benefit from, participate in and contribute fully to society and their community. GCHDS provides social housing to persons who have a general housing need in Galway. GCHDS commenced with 32 properties in Cuar na Lus, Circular Rd, Galway, which were opened in 1995 under the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS). The Co-operative subsequently expanded in year 2000 to include 12 further properties in Corrach Bui, Circular Rd, Galway, also under the CLSS scheme. Seventeen additional properties in Fana Burca, Knocknacarra, Galway were added to the Co-operative in 2003, again under the CLSS scheme, to bring the total number of properties to 61. GCHDS have developed strong links with Galway City Council and all tenancies are allocated from the Galway City Council housing waiting list. GCHDS is a member of the Galway City Community Forum Housing linkage group which is represented on the Galway City Council Housing Strategic Policy Committee. GCHDS are also members of the ‘Irish Council of Social Housing’ and ‘The Wheel’ community representative body.
Our organisational vision:
Is that we continue to grow and develop so that we can best respond to current and future member needs for:
- Good quality housing at an affordable cost.
- Security of tenure within where possible a range of tenure options.
- Control over their housing environment with opportunity to participate fully in and democratically manage the affairs of their housing co-operative.
- Safe and secure communities in which members can thrive and feel genuinely at home.
- A sense of community in which diversity is valued and common needs addressed.
- Opportunities for member’s personal growth and contribution to their co-operative’s development.
Our organisational mission:
Is to provide high quality housing and related supports based on co-operative principles towards relief of housing need. In doing this we will add value to the quality of life of members and generate vibrant neighbourhoods and sustainable communities.
Our structure:
Since inception a co-operative structure has been adopted as appropriate to our vision and purpose. Hallmarks of all co-operatives are that they are organisations set up for the benefit of their members. Our Co-operative Housing Society is a housing organisation run along co-operative principles. It is owned and managed by members and operates for their benefit. We provide a way for people to share in the ownership of property and live in it at an affordable cost on a continuing basis. We provide members with a distinct value based, member owned and controlled housing alternative. Because of a unique set of co-operative values and principles we offer a powerful and democratic way to put decision making into the hands of those who need and use our services. We place people’s needs before those of capital and profit. Each of our three estates has a local committee consisting of member tenants. Representatives from these three committees sit on the board of GCHDS which meets regularly. This ensures that member tenants from throughout the Co-op have a voice in the running of the Co-operative. Galway Co-operative Housing strives to achieve its mission in a manner consistent with co-operative values and principles. A brief summary of these values and principles is outlined below:
Our Co-operative Values include:
Individual responsibility, mutual help, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. We embody the ethical values of honesty, openness, and concern & respect for others and the wider society.
Our Principles are:
- Open and Voluntary Membership:
- Democratic Member Control:
- Member Economic Participation:
- Autonomy and Independence:
- Education, Training and Information:
- Co-operation among Co-operatives:
- Concern for Community:
In addition to the above as our Commitment to Service we will:
- Continually strive to meet our Members’ needs for affordable, good quality housing with security of tenure, and for safe and secure neighbourhoods.
- We will seek to continually provide the best quality services within resources and at a fair cost to Members.
- We will work to develop vibrant communities where Members give and receive support beyond their shelter needs and treat each other with respect and tolerance.
Finance
As an approved housing Body signed up to the Voluntary Regulation Code for Approved Housing Bodies, the Co-operative complies with financial standards required of a tier 2 housing body. The Co-operative has a financial Audit completed each year which is submitted to the Registrar of Friendly Societies. The Co-operative uses Quickbooks financial software package to ensure that all financial dealings are accounted for in a professional manner. Tenants receive rent statements on a regular basis.
Maintenance
Galway Co-op Housing operate a maintenance program to maintain all it’s properties to a high standard of repair. The Co-op operates a sinking fund to plan and utilise for longer term planned maintenance. During 2016 a large program of works was undertaken to upgrade the heating and insulation of properties throughout the Co-operative. This work was carried out in partnership and with the assistance of other community organisations with the aid of a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant.
Charity Regulation
Galway Co-op Housing is a registered Charity regulated by the Charity Regulator, completing annual Regulatory Returns to the office of The Charity Regulator.
Housing Agency Regulation
As an Approved Housing Body, Galway Co-op Housing submits annual Regulatory Assessment Reports to The Housing Agency Regulation Office and is guided by best practice housing guidelines.
Residential Tenancies Board
All Galway Co-op Housing properties are registered with The Residential Tenancies Board