Our Vision

We believe that communities of all sizes should have the right, and the ability, to be instigators and co-creators of secure, affordable homes, and that this can benefit individuals, communities and even entire cities. We want people in Ireland to realise this potential.

 

Learn more about SOA's mission and team >

What is Community-Led Housing

As described by World Habitat, Community-Led Housing is about “communities playing a leading and lasting role in solving local housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and strong communities, in ways that are difficult to achieve through mainstream housing.”

Community-Led Housing is an umbrella term, encompassing a wide range of approaches, including cooperative housing, cohousing, Community Land Trusts (CLTs), and self-help housing. Although no two Community-Led Housing projects are the same, they all share a common goal of meeting specific local housing needs via collaboration, empowerment and mutual support.

Community-Led Housing is premised on the conviction that a house is not just a building, or an asset, it is a home: a place to live.

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What we do

Our work includes both self-initiated and commissioned projects to advance Community-Led Housing in Ireland.

SOA is a not-for-profit social enterprise, and we work with groups around the country who are taking a community-led approach to creating homes. We also work with government agencies and local authorities to develop Community-Led Housing (CLH) policy and advance pilot projects.

SOA support our work via income from a range of services which are carefully selected to progress Community-Led Housing in Ireland.

Our services include:

  • Advice and support for Community-Led Housing projects
  • Consulting to state and local bodies
  • Development of networks and joint projects
  • Policy Research and Co-development
  • Advocacy
  • Education

 

Learn more about SOA’s services here >

 

Featured projects & events

Working to inform and empower people in Ireland about socially and environmentally sustainable alternative housing models


View all SOA Projects & Events >

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Roadmapping CLH

Published in 2021. This 15-month multi-stakeholder research project culminated in a series of five handbooks roadmapping the advancement of CLH projects in Ireland.

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Upcycling Trust

Beginning early 2024, SOA are working with Cork City council and Cork CLT on a 5-year pilot demonstrator to develop Ireland's first urban Community Land Trust.

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Reimagining Elderhood

An action research initiative, co-designing 'future oriented' neighbourhoods that foster community for all ages and maximise the possibilities for positive ageing in Ireland.

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Community-Led Housing resources

SOA have published a range of resources which can help you to develop a CLH project in Ireland, and to learn about great examples.


View all Community-Led Housing Resources >

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GYGR HANDBOOK

This handbook provides an early-stage guide to developing a CLH project, outlining key steps in the process. It is intended to support Irish Community-Led Housing groups who are working to develop pilot projects.

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POLICY HANDBOOK

Summarising the policy initiatives supporting CLH in countries such as the UK, Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland. This handbook is intended to support Irish policymakers to advance CLH in Ireland.

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FINANCE HANDBOOK

This handbook proposes approaches to financing CLH in Ireland, including measures to ensure a viable sector. It aims to support Irish policymakers and financial institutions in progressing financial solutions for CLH.

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LAND HANDBOOK

This handbook describes sustainable approaches to land management which facilitate the creation of homes that are affordable in perpetuity. It aims to support Irish local authorities, land agencies & other landowners. 

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Get Involved

If you'd like to get involved in supporting the development of Community-Led Housing, here's a few ways that you can learn, share, advocate and connect.


Learn about Community-Led Housing Projects in Ireland >

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Learn

Take the first step to learn about Community-Led Housing, and how it can help address some of our most urgent issues around housing, community, quality of life, & climate.

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Share

Start conversations! If you feel Community-Led Housing can be part of the solution, why not share this with your family and friends. Here are links to some of SOA’s social media posts..

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Advocate

Help to get SOA’s research in the right hands. Share our resources with your local authorities and TDs. Make your belief in Community-Led Housing known...

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Connect

Sign up for SOA's email newsletter, to hear more about upcoming projects and developments. Follow SOA and other Community-Led Housing advocates on social media...

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