Cork City Council tackling vacancy with the Upcycling Trust

According to the Central Statistics Office in 2024, there are an estimated 17,000 properties in Cork that are derelict or vacant. Just over 5000 of these are within the Cork City boundary. Given the lack of available and affordable housing, Cork City Council are partnered with the Interreg North-West Europe Project Upcycling Trust to tackle vacancy and dereliction along with four other European cities.

The Upcycling Trust is establishing the Cork Community Land Trust model as a vehicle to empower local citizens through the development of circular processes and reusing derelict or unused buildings to reverse the vacancy trend. Community Land Trust’s are a not-for-profit, community led business model ensuring that houses remain perpetually affordable for low to middle income families.

The Community Land Trust model offers an innovative and hybrid form of ownership whereby the homeowner buys the house at an affordable price, but the land remains property of the Community Land Trust. This ensures the protection of the resources used to construct the property and the ongoing affordability of the property. The property can be sold to another homeowner that is within the eligibility requirements of the Community Land Trust, but it maintains the low-cost investment. The concept also contributes to the just transition by enabling low- or middle-income households get on the property ladder.

The practice is relevant to the FEEL Project objectives through the demonstration of frugality by choosing to retain the resource used in the construction and bringing the building back into use. Cork City Council is also a partner on the FEEL Project along with seven other European Cities.