Plan to create Cork city's first co-housing community for the over-50s

Cork people in their 50s and over who are interested in right-sizing from larger, under-occupied homes to co-housing are invited to attend a webinar next week.

Co-housing residents can enjoy their own space and security in privately owned homes while also benefiting from shared spaces and community interaction.

A group called Cork Co-housing Communities intends to create the city and county’s first co-housing community.

Every year, 70,000 people in Ireland turn 50, with approximately 1.76m people already over that age.

That cohort is set to reach 2m by 2030.

Ireland has the highest level of under-occupancy in the EU, with nearly 90% of people aged 65 and over living in under-occupied homes.

Co-housing is a concept that originated in Denmark in the 1960s, later becoming established in the UK, the US, Canada, and the Netherlands. In Ireland, groups have recently emerged in Westport and Dublin.

Co-housing Communities Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation with more than 350 registered members.

Cork Co-housing Communities convenor Vaughan Ryan said there has been strong interest in developing a co-housing community in Cork.

“The model offers an attractive option for healthy, active people in midlife and older age who are seeking manageable, future-proof homes, while avoiding isolation.”

The Cork Co-housing Community invites anyone interested in learning more about the concept to attend an information webinar at 7pm on Thursday, June 25. To register for the information webinar, see eventbrite.com.