Co-operative housing
Tara O'Liath.
In an effort to allieviate the housing crisis, NABCO- the National
Association of Building Cooperatives, have built another lot of
rental co-ops in the Dublin area. This time Townsend Street was the
area targeted. The site on which the one and two bedroomed flats were
built on was bought by SIPTU and given to NABCO.
The idea of trade unions and co op schemes working together for the
good of communities is something NABCO hope will continue in the
future, and with the new Docklands Development under way, they feel
there is a role for them in the building of affordable housing for
those with limited income.
The newest co-op development consists of 16 units, with people from
the Corporation list with priority points, transfers, and local
people considered first.
NABCO already have eight units in the inner city and 20 in the
overall Dublin area and the scheme cost the best part of a million
pounds to build.While this is a non profit making programme, tennants
rents, which are subsidised according to income, are used to meet
loan repayments.
For tennants of the co-op's it's not just a case of having a house to
live in, it's a network with a committe and being willing to share in
the up keep of the management of the buildings.
NABCO believe it's of vital importance to cater for existing
residents in the city and co-op housing provides options for inner
city communities so that there is a balance between private
developments and affordable housing.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)