Aisteach Co-operative Housing Society is a registered housing co-operative based in Dublin with the aim to develop safe, secure, and inclusive housing for LGBTQ+ individuals. The group emerged from discussions that began in 2015 around the urgent need for LGBTQ+-specific housing co-operatives, gaining momentum as the escalating housing crisis increasingly priced queer people out of the city’s private rental market. Although formally registered as an Industrial and Provident Society Limited during the pandemic era in 2020, the co-operative remains in its development phase and does not currently own or operate physical housing units.
The co-operative’s primary ambition is to create an intergenerational housing model that operates on mutual aid and community ownership, resisting speculative property practices and gentrification. Membership is designed to be accessible, with entry-level shares costing €1 and equal voting rights for all members, regardless of residency status. This approach foregrounds the goal of housing that remains community-owned and not for profit.
Aisteach’s public forums, such as a well-attended 2023 meeting at Outhouse, have brought together LGBTQ+ activists, housing policy experts, and local officials to strategize around partnership with approved housing bodies, fundraising, and community engagement. Aisteach’s model is rooted in international co-operative traditions and is informed by ongoing research into collaborative, community-led housing. Current activities focus on advocacy, policy development, and mobilizing support within the queer community, aiming to set a precedent for inclusive, resilient urban housing in Ireland.