Cathaoirleach, Cllr David Maxwell, officially opened the estate at Drumbear Wood

Friday 29th September 2023 at 11:30 am, Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) launched 17 new homes in Drumbear Wood, Monaghan town, Co. Monaghan, the first CHI development in the county. Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr David Maxwell officially opened the estate.

Speaking at the launch of the 17 new homes in Drumbear Wood, CHI’s Director of Policy and Communications, Eoin Carroll, said, “At Co-operative Housing Ireland, our key priority is to maximise the number of homes we provide, and we are delighted to welcome our first members in Monaghan.”

Mr Carroll continued, “By the end of this year CHI will have delivered more than 5,000 homes in 24 counties including, for the first time, Monaghan. CHI already has a strong presence in Louth and we plan to expand further in the region working in partnership with local authorities to provide much-needed homes to local individuals and families.”

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Maxwell said, “The delivery of social housing is extremely important. Last year, Monaghan County Council managed to deliver 140 new build homes.”

Cllr Maxwell continued, “This estate and launch today is special as it marks the first development delivered by Co-operative Housing Ireland in Monaghan. Monaghan County Council is proud to have partnered with the Approved Housing Body in delivering these A-rated family homes.”

CHI Member tenant Olivia Johnson lives in Drumbear Wood with her family and is looking forward to building a community among the households, “It’s important to me that we sustain what we’ve been given here, as we grow as a community and the next generation is coming up. I think CHI, and the co-operative values it is built off, in particular participation, concern for community, and co-operation, offer us the opportunity to nurture this sense of togetherness.”

Drumbear Wood comprises 17 a-rated three-bed homes in a pre-existing mixed-tenure development. They are just minutes’ drive from Monaghan town, and amenities such as schools, shops and sports clubs.

The delivery of these homes was achieved through Co-operative Housing Ireland partnering with Monaghan County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Agency, and the estate was built by MJT and Peter Turley.

CHI is unique as an organisation in that all new Member tenants are automatically part of a local housing co-operative, allowing them a real say, concrete input into decisions affecting their estates and communities. Member tenants in Drumbear Wood have the opportunity to shape their community and the direction of Co-operative Housing Ireland as an organisation.

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