Could a Danish-born housing idea find a home in Cork?

That’s the hope of Cohousing Communities Ireland (CCI), which is carrying out a land audit across Cork in search of a suitable site for a community aimed at people aged 50 and over.

The not-for-profit organisation says it is looking at land owned by local authorities, religious organisations and other major institutions, as well as vacant, derelict and former commercial or industrial sites.

The idea is fairly simple: residents have their own private, self-contained homes but live alongside neighbours in a small community, with shared spaces and activities.

CCI says the model could offer older homeowners a way to downsize without having to leave the communities they know, while potentially freeing up larger family homes for younger households.

People seem to like the idea 

And the group says there is significant interest. A recent survey of more than 120 CCI members found that 91% said they would choose to move into a cohousing community if one was available, with 73% saying a two-bedroom home would be enough.

CCI chair and co-founder Anne Connolly says Cork could be particularly well placed for the idea, pointing to the number of vacant and underused sites around the city and county.

Meanwhile, Cork Cohousing Community Group convenor Vaughan Ryan says there are plenty of people in their 50s, 60s and 70s who are ready to move but currently have nowhere suitable to go.

Now, the group wants to find the land to make it happen

Anyone interested in finding out more can attend a public information meeting at Cork Constitution Football Club in Ballinlough on Wednesday, October 7th, at 7.30pm.

CCI is also calling on landowners and public bodies with potentially suitable sites to get in touch.

The organisation is proposing that the Government establish a revolving development fund to support initial cohousing communities in Cork, Dublin and Westport, while also calling for changes around land access, financing and planning policy.