Co-operative Housing News - Winter 2020 21 - Co-operative Housing Ireland
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Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21
2 Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21
Dear Member,
Welcome to the Winter Edition of
Co-operative Housing News.
I hope you and your families had a happy Christmas Finally, I would like to share my sympathies with
and a peaceful New Year. Covid-19 continues to affect those who have been affected by the virus and
how we live our daily lives, but as an organisation we lost loved ones. My heartfelt condolences to you.
are hopeful for the possibilities that 2021 presents. Please remember that we are here to support you in
Ensuring that the services we provide to you whatever way we can.
have been maintained has been a priority of ours
Stay safe, keep in touch with your loved ones,
throughout Covid-19 restrictions. We have been
neighbours, and other Members, and let us know
delighted to hear some of your positive feedback on
how we can help.
this to date.
In this issue we wanted to highlight some of the
activities that have taken place over the last number
of months. We highlighted the importance of secure
housing in our No Place like Home Campaign, and
along with An Taoiseach, launched the Brookhill
estate in Carrigaline, Co. Cork. Despite Covid
Kieron Brennan
restrictions CHI delivered 454 new homes in 2020 – a
record for the organisation. None of this would have CEO
been possible without the co-operation between Co-operative Housing Ireland
you our Members and our team of dedicated staff.
As always, thank you for your continued support and
input.
It has been heartening to witness how Members
continue to support each other at a distance
and embody the co-operative principles in these
challenging times. If you have a story or event you
would like to share with us, I encourage you to
contact admin@cooperativehousing.ie
Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21 3
In these challenging times, we
at Co-operative Housing Ireland
want to ensure you have access
to the support you need
It is our priority to ensure services
to our Members are not affected
by the challenges presented by
Covid-19.
As ever, the Member Services Team
are here to support you. We are
delighted to report we
are still operating at
full capacity and
answering your
queries despite
our new remote
way of working.
It has been
encouraging
for the team to
hear some of
your positive
feedback
concerning the
high quality of
service delivery
during
Government
restrictions.
We have received many queries over the last few Please note that it is now possible to pay your rent at
months from Members who have experienced a cooperativehousing.ie – a service we introduced to
change in income due to the impact of Covid-19. support you making payments safely.
Rest assured that changes in income will be
There was an increase in queries recently from those
backdated when calculating rent. The team has also
wishing to learn more about Co-operative Housing
been supporting Members with the annual rent
Ireland. Many of these queries were from friends of
assessment forms, advising on its completion and
Members who felt the co-operative model was more
any other documentation that needs to be provided.
supportive than their current tenancy. It is always
We understand that this has been a particularly
encouraging for us to learn of new interest in the
stressful time for many of you, so please remember
co-operative movement via our network of
to contact us if you have any concerns regarding
Members.
your tenancy.
4 Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21
Pearse O’Shiel, Chair of CHI and An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, at the launch
of Brookhill in Carrigaline Co. Cork.
Brookhill launch Carrigaline,
Co. Cork
We were delighted to have Housing Ireland, building homes directly as well as
providing turnkey projects.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin launch
CHI Member Ross and his family received the keys of
Brookhill, an estate of 69 family their home in Brookhill before the launch. Speaking
homes in Carrigaline, Co. Cork on about their new place he said, “I’d easily spend an
7th December 2020. hour discussing how amazing our new home is. It’s
as though our dreams have finally come true. The
The A-rated homes were made possible through fact that the houses in this estate are so fantastic is
partnership with Cork County Council, the Housing the icing on the cake for us.”
Finance Agency, the Department of Housing, Local Speaking at the launch, CHI Chairperson Pearse
Government and Heritage, and Homeland Group. O’Shiel said, “These homes will go somewhat
Speaking at the launch, CHI CEO Kieron Brennan towards alleviating huge pressures on the social
said, “CHI homes are unique; we foster co-operative housing waiting list in Cork County.”
principles in building communities. The importance He continued, “I’m pleased to say that we have been
of community has come into sharp focus during the able to meet delivery targets as well as get members
Covid-19 pandemic and the necessity for affordability into their new homes despite Covid-19.”
and security of tenure.”
The launch was featured across a variety of national
Also speaking, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, “The and local broadcast and print media including RTÉ
Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted more than ever News, Virgin Media News, The Irish Times, Irish
the importance of working together. It is not an Independent and Irish Examiner, helping to spread
either or in the delivery of housing, we need to use the co-operative message. We look forward to
all available resources which means local authorities getting to know our new Members at Brookhill and
and approved housing bodies, like Co-operative wish them well in their new homes.
Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21 5 No Place like Home We launched our ‘No Place like Home’ campaign on 17th October 2020 to highlight the importance of a safe secure home in such uncertain times. The campaign focused on the experiences of CHI Members during the pandemic and what having a secure home means to them. The launch of the campaign was featured on RTÉ News. CHI Member Seán Murphy spoke to RTÉ’s South Eastern Correspondent Conor Kane about how he was coping with restrictions. The launch coincided with the publication of CHI’s 2019 Annual Report. As part of the campaign, we were delighted to speak could not believe it because it was our sixth move to Members all around Ireland. One such Member in five years. It was great to finally be able to tell was Amanda, who moved into her new home in the kids that this is our forever home – this is where Robertstown, Co. Kildare in October. Speaking about we’re going to live.” the move she said, “When I told my daughter Áine, We would like to say thank you to everyone who’s six, that we were moving her first reaction who supported No Place like Home by sharing was, ‘oh no, we’re not moving again.’ I had to explain their stories or by promoting it online through to her that this was going to be our final home. She social media. Safety Notices Fire safety Several instances of Members removing fire safety Unauthorised and unsafe electrical installations, equipment such as fire detectors and fire door when found, will have to be made safe or removed closers have been reported. We urge all Members to and returned to standard fittings. The cost refrain from tampering with fire safety equipment as associated with this will be charged to the Member. it places others at risk and is in contravention with the Fire Services Act. This is a criminal offence and will be reported to the authorities along with any evidence, including CCTV footage. Electrical upgrades There have also been instances of unsafe installations of electrical equipment such as light fittings, chrome switches and electric showers. Please note that such changes pose a safety risk if not undertaken by a qualified electrician.
6 Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21
Co-operative Housing Co-operative Housing
Ireland AGM Ireland welcome
The CHI AGM Representing,
new National Board
members
Promoting,
was held on Developing,
Since 1973
Annual Report
17th October
2019
Cinnamon Blackmore
2020. Slaney Housing Co-operative
It coincided with
Regina Coakley
the launch of CHI’s
South Leinster Co-operative
Annual Report which
you can find at Michael Collins
cooperativehousing.ie
Kenneth Hanrahan
Avoca Housing Co-operative
Enda McGuane
Cinnamon Blackmore Regina Coakley Michael Collins Kenneth Hanrahan Enda McGuane
Board Skills Training Programme
Our next Board Skills Programme outline:
Training Programme is z Communicating to Influence
open to all Members and z Co-operative Structures & Role of the Board
will run online in Spring. If z Housing Policy
you are interested please z Leadership Strategy
contact MemberTraining@ z Transformational
cooperativehousing.ie. Change
z Finance Basics
This training may help you in your work or
volunteering with other organisations and there is z CHI Finance
no obligation or commitment to join any CHI board
or committee. There is no charge, but you do need z Governance Codes – Charities Regulator
to register. & Approved Housing Bodies
Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21 7
“The upgrades
have made a
huge impact on
our home and
daily living”
CHI was delighted to have SEAI
upgrades undertaken by Kingdom
Installations at Kilcronan Court in
Clondalkin last year. Cian age 7 and Lacey age 11 standing
SEAI upgrades range from new insulation to heating outside their newly upgraded home.
control improvements and make warmer and more
energy efficient homes. Member Roslyn Byrne spoke
to us about her experience of the upgrades and how time of course – and we sanitised when we arrived
her family have been coping during Covid-19. and before we left.
“We moved into a two-bedroom apartment in “The upgrades have made a huge impact on
Kilcronan estate 11 years ago. Four years ago, we our home and daily living. We can regulate the
were thrilled to move into one of the houses here temperature much easier and our bills have been cut
which was a great improvement. My son who is the in half. It has been a cold winter, but I estimate our
youngest in our family was sleeping in my bedroom bills are now between €35 to €40 a week. During the
with me until that point. He’s seven now so the summer months this will be much lower, especially
house came at a good time. We have three kids, two when restrictions lift, and we’re not spending as
daughters and one son. Our eldest is now 16. Having much time at home. We always have hot water now
space is a real necessity for us with a growing family. with the new system too, whereas before we would
have to put the immersion on for at least an hour
“We were delighted to have some SEAI upgrades
before we used it. It is great to consistently have hot
done to our home over the summer. We got new
water at the turn of a tap for the kids to wash, or to
windows, new external front and back doors, the
wash your hands and keep the place sanitised.
attic was insulated, and a new air to water heating
system was installed. Our home was already cavity “Life during the pandemic has been a challenge for
insulated, but I believe other houses in the estate everyone, but I’m so impressed with how the kids
had this done too. We were concerned with Covid-19 have been handling it. My eldest has been very
that the upgrades wouldn’t go ahead, but CHI made understanding and mature about not being able
huge efforts to get it done. All the contractors to go out and spend time with her friends. I work
were very respectful of our space and kept socially in B&Q which is classed as an essential service. It
distanced. They always wore foot and face coverings was very busy during the first lockdown, the whole
and sanitised thoroughly before engaging in any country was painting or doing home improvements.
work. While the work was taking place, we went to Thankfully, it’s a bit calmer now. My son has
the community centre here and played some pool. It underlying conditions so like most people we are
was fantastic to have a space to go to while work was very much looking forward to when things go back
being carried out. Several families used it – one at a to normal.”
8 Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21
Join the Co-operative Housing
Ireland Book Club
Is there a better way to spend design your own profile and vote on the book that will
be chosen to read. Each chosen book will be delivered
an evening than sitting back to you for free.
and reading a book? Become a The CHI book club Members will have between four
Member of the CHI book club and six weeks to read each. Book club meetings
today. Please note there are only will be held on zoom. The zoom meeting will be an
20 spots, so don’t miss your informal chat about the book, focusing on what
Members thought about the books read.
chance!
You can sign up at https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/chi-
book-club-tickets-136438921487
Once everyone has signed up, we will email you a link
to the CHI bookclubz.com page. Bookclubz is a free
online management tool for book clubs. Here you can
In Remembrance
It is with heavy hearts that we person he met. He had a way
of putting people at ease and
take a moment to remember our making them feel heard.
colleague, John O’Connor, who Nothing was ever too much
sadly passed last September. trouble and the Members of
the estates he managed knew
As one of the longest serving staff Members, John that he could be depended on
touched the lives of Co-operative Members and the for solid, fair advice and help.
people he worked with in the most positive of ways.
With a heart as big as his personality,
John had many loves in his life, first and foremost John’s friendliness has been described as
his loving family, rugby, music, and his job. It was contagious. He is sadly missed by all who
through his job that John made a difference to every knew him.
Stock condition surveys 2021
For CHI to ensure that our housing The information collected helps plan and budget for
future maintenance works and upgrades.
stock is compliant and to plan for
Due to Covid-19 restrictions currently in place, the
the future, we are obliged to carry roll out of these surveys will not happen until later
out inspections on a percentage in the year when conditions are more suitable.
of the housing stock on an Please note, we will be in contact with you directly
annual basis. to let you know if we need to inspect your home.
Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21 9 Art Competition We were delighted at the enthusiasm and creativity of Members who took part in the inaugural CHI Art Competition. The theme of the competition was ‘My Community at Christmas’, reflecting the co-operative principles of CHI. The quality of the artwork was outstanding, and the judges had some very tough decisions to make. Well done to all the winners and runners up from each category. We look forward to seeing more talent on show in the 2021 art competition. A special thank you to Claire O’Connor and Áine Macken the two professional artists who judged the art competition.
10 Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21
Community
Activities
A great many communities across
the CHI network applied for the
community fund.
Hundreds of boxes of chocolates were delivered to
communities in Dublin with the support of the
community volunteers. We also saw Christmas
lights in Avondale Park and Weavers Walk,
Christmas raffles in Riverside and Brookview
Court and a special socially distant Santa
experience in Newtown Court.
If your community has an activity or event
that they would like to run, but need some
support in doing so, have a conversation
with your Housing Officer or get in touch
with Anthony, Anthony.burrowes@
cooperativehousing.ie
Keep up to date with all the national events
taking place in CHI by following the Facebook
group. You can do this by searching
‘CHI Member engagement’ in the
Facebook search box.
Song and Stories
We enjoyed welcoming Members
to our Christmas songs and stories
event.
Your engagement added greatly to festivities, from
dancing around the Christmas trees singing ‘Rudolph
the Red Nosed Reindeer’, to listening contently to
the story of a donkey called Soap Hooves and the
penguin that saved Christmas. A special thanks to
the talented Seán O’Keefe and Kyle James Riley for
hosting the Christmas songs and for giving the event
that extra sparkle.Co-operative Housing News Winter 2020-21 11
Life in Zoom
Harry Byrne from Hazelbrook Lawn,
Rathnew picked up this very full bag
of litter with his mother Aoife.
Thanks Harry!
The O’Keeffe-Kowalewska family, Dorota, Ross, Ella
and Céiden, who moved into their new home in
Brookhill, Carrigaline, Co. Cork in December.
Claire O’Connor and Áine Macken, two professional We were delighted to have Taoiseach Michéal Martin
artists judge the talented work of Members as part of launch our Brookhill estate in Carrigaline, Co. Cork on
our inaugural art competition. 7th December last year.You can also read
