THE Ó CUALANN MODEL
Ó Cualann exists to create fully integrated, cooperative and affordable residential developments at scale across Ireland
Our model is centred around three core pillars
AFFORDABLE
A rent or mortgage which can be afforded by households which represents a maximum outlay of 32% of net income
COOPERATION
A community set up for the mutual benefit of all its members with support from local authorities, state bodies and AHB’s
FULLY INTEGRATED
A community comprised of mixed income, age, mobility, ability and ethnicity living together as neighbours.
Working with local authorities
The key to the model is that Ó Cualann works in partnership with local authorities to identify potential sites for development. Ó Cualann undertakes a feasibility study and engages an architect to develop drawings and begin working through the planning process.
If discussions are successful then Ó Cualann will be able to acquire the site from the local authority at a heavily discounted price with a waiver of development levies. This is pivotal in enabling us to build truly affordable housing. The ‘benefit’ to the local authority is to contribute towards targets such as affordable housing provision, social housing provision and an overall improvements in the tenure mix in a particular area.
We generally aim towards a tenure mix of 60% owner-occupied, 20% private rental and 20% social rental in our developments, although this will vary depending on the needs of the local authority we are speaking with. Our customers are individuals and families for the first two groups, and housing associations and local authorities for the latter.
Our developments reflect the national mix in terms of size – we typically aim for 20-25% two-bed homes, 55-60% three-bed homes and 15-20% four-bed homes.
Assigning the homes
Construction
Since the Affordable Housing Act 2021 was signed into law the notification of affordable housing for sale and for assessment of eligibility is now under the remit of the local authorities.
What this means for Ó Cualann is that affordable homes will now be advertised by local authorities and not by Ó Cualann. The local authorities invite expressions of interest from the public when affordable properties arise. Those who apply will be assessed by the local authorities in accordance with the eligibility criteria and priority, as laid down in the Act.
If you are interested in owning your own affordable home we recommend these steps:
Contact your local authority to enquire about upcoming affordable developments in your area.
If you are told there are no upcoming opportunities enquire about them implementing an affordable project in your area.
Finally, by spreading the word about our model, and community-led housing in general, we will be able to build more affordable homes across the country and get people into long-sought-after homes of their own.
Construction is tendered to established construction companies and, crucially, we sign a no-variation, fixed price contact from the outset. Plots are delivered according to an agreed, phased plan – typically a development of 100 homes may be delivered in 4 phases of 25 units each.
The full development cycle for 50 houses will typically take 3 years; 18 months for local authority discussions, feasibility, planning and land acquisition; and another 18 months for construction.
We have clear goals in relation to the intentional, diverse and integrated communities that we are seeking to establish from an affordability point for view.