Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society Ltd. currently comprises three
Rental Housing Co-operatives in Galway City.

More about Us
      The title “Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society
Ltd” often suggests that we are a company but in fact we are actually
an Industrial and Provident Society. This legal structure means that
we can trade, enter into agreements, sue or be sued, own objects or
property, and ensures that the liability of directors is limited. In
Galway Co-op Housing members participate in the election of a
board of directors who govern the organisation on their behalf.

The organisation is run in accordance with a set of Rules. All
members are encouraged to be aware of these rules and copies are
available to members on request.
      When we talk about common ownership in rental co-operatives
we mean that the Co-operative as an body is owned by all its
members. Members have a share in all the co-op’s property as
opposed to owning a specific or individual property.  Because
members own the co-op in common with all other members they
are not able to sell “their bit”. This commitment to common
ownership can help the Co-op raise funds from local authorities
and government departments. It can also be a barrier to asset
stripping both from outside or inside the organisation.

Galway Co-operative Housing Development Society  (GCHDS) is
currently comprised of three local co-operatives. These are:

     Cuar Na Lus  Housing Co-operative
             Corrach Buí  Housing Co-operative
                     Fána Búrca  Housing Co-operative.

Members in each co-operative elect a local committee. The main
purpose of the local co-operative committee is to:

  • Foster a co-operative spirit among Members locally.

  • Promote co-operative responses to local issues.

  • Ensure that the local co-operative is democratically     
    represented on the Board of Galway Co-operative Housing
    Development Society thereby contributing to managing the
    affairs of the Society on behalf of all Members.

The Board is responsible for the Governance of the organisation
and is accountable to the membership of the Society at it's Annual
General Meeting.
Common
Ownership:
Our Legal
Structure:
Local
Co-operatives: