What is a
Housing
Co-operative
Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society Ltd. currently comprises three
Rental Housing Co-operatives in Galway City.
Housing co-operatives provide a way for people to
share in the ownership of property and live in it at an
affordable cost on a continuing basis.
They provide members with a distinct value based,
member owned and controlled housing alternative.
Co-operatives can be described as organisations set
up for the benefit of their members.
A housing co-operative is a housing organisation run
along co-operative principles. It is owned and managed
by members and operates for their benefit.

Co-operatives offer a powerful and democratic way to put decision making into the hands of those
who need and use the services. Housing Co-operatives place peoples' needs
before those of capital and profit.
Unlike the private, public, or voluntary housing sectors, Housing Co-operatives are guided by a
unique set of co-operative values and principles.