Carbery Housing Association (CHA), also known as Coiste Tithe Chaibre, is an independent non-profit company with charitable status and Approved Housing Body status in Ireland. It was established in 2001 by local residents in Baltimore, West Cork, in response to holiday-home development that was putting housing beyond the reach of local people.1 Its stated purpose is to provide homes and related amenities for households excluded from the housing market, working with local authorities and community organisations and aiming for energy efficiency and sustainability.1
CHA’s work includes providing and managing social and affordable housing, as well as helping households remain in their homes. It joined the Government’s Private Sector Leasing Programme in 2009 and secured two long-term leases in 2012, renting the homes to families nominated from the local authority housing list.1 Since becoming an Approved Housing Body for the Government’s Mortgages to Rent Initiative in 2018, it has purchased homes from owner-occupiers unable to meet mortgage repayments, allowing them to stay as tenants; the association reports purchases and further negotiations involving properties in Cork City and County.1
The association manages and maintains its properties, including arranging essential repairs and setting rents at levels equivalent to local-authority rents.1 Its work is focused on County Cork, with projects and housing activity in Cork City and across the county.36 José Ospina is listed as chair of the board; other board members include Tadgh Quill-Manley, Dan Boyle, Alan Sheerins, Joe O’Brien and Orla Ryan.7 The organisation’s website lists contact details but does not state a headquarters city; an external organisational profile identifies Cork as its headquarters.23