In Sept 2026, Sinead Ryan @newstalkfm highlighted the case for cohousing for older adults. In this interview, Fiona Slevin explains how thousands of older people in Ireland are excluded from housing policy and outlines how Cohousing Communities Ireland is advocating for policy change.

A one-page document explaining what cohousing is, why it’s needed, and its benefits – and how to overcome barriers to implementation in Ireland

The Case for Cohousing: policy proposal

Read our policy agenda for Ireland’s 50+ Generation

In this document we make the case for cohousing. It sets out the evidence for the difference they make and suggests how to remove the three barriers to delivery — securing suitable sites, financing, and supportive policy. Our key proposal is for a self-financing Revolving Fund to unlock builder confidence and bring Ireland’s first cohousing communities from ambition to reality.