About Us

A co-operative is a people-powered alternative to traditional business. It’s an autonomous, democratic organization where members come together to meet shared needs: whether that’s housing, food, finance, or work.

In a co-op:

• You’re not just a tenant, you’re a co-owner.

• You have a voice and a vote.

• Profits are reinvested into the community, not extracted by shareholders.

Think of your local Credit Union: when you open an account, you become a part-owner. You can vote at the AGM, help shape its future, and trust that your money stays in your community. That’s the co-operative difference.

Because it puts students first.

Co-operative housing is:

• Affordable – rents are set to cover costs, not profits.

• Democratic – every member has an equal say.

• Sustainable – decisions are made with long-term wellbeing in mind.

• Community-led – members share responsibilities and support each other.

Co-ops are built on values like self-help, democracy, equity, and solidarity. They empower people to take control of their lives and create lasting change from the ground up.

The Cork Student Housing Co-op is proud to be part of a growing international movement for student-led, community-driven housing. From the very beginning, we’ve been inspired and supported by student housing co-operatives across the UK, Europe, and the USA: groups who have walked this path before us and generously shared their knowledge, time, and solidarity.

Thanks to the support of organizations like UrbaMonde, Co-operative Housing International, Student Co-op Homes, Co-operative Housing Ireland, and SolidNetwork, we had the opportunity to travel and visit student housing co-ops in person: learning directly from those who are already living the co-operative model.

In 2023–2024, we visited inspiring co-ops in:

• Edinburgh (Scotland)

• Brighton (England)

• Zurich (Switzerland)

• Geneva (Switzerland)

These visits gave us hands-on insight into how student co-ops operate, govern themselves, and build strong, supportive communities. They also helped us imagine what’s possible here in Cork.

One of the most exciting outcomes of this journey was our participation in the Student Co-op Housing event in Geneva (2024), where we helped form a new collective "ESCHA" – the European Student Co-operative Housing Association.

This network connects student housing co-ops across Europe to share resources, amplify our voices, and build a stronger, united movement. 

Here’s a photo from that event in Geneva, where the seeds of ESCHA were planted:

We believe students deserve more than just a bed: they deserve a home, a voice, and a community.

We’re building a future where students in Cork and beyond can live affordably, sustainably, and with dignity.

If you believe in that future too, we’d love to hear from you!

Email us at: corkstudenthousingcooperative@gmail.com

Whether you have questions, ideas, or want to join the team: let’s build it together.