Respond Housing Association
Respond Housing Association is Ireland's largest construction-led Approved Housing Body, owning or managing 8,611 properties and housing more than 18,935 tenants. It delivers social and cost rental housing alongside integrated community services including childcare, homelessness support, and older-person daycare nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersWaterford, Ireland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Respond Housing Association does
Respond Housing Association is Ireland's largest construction-led Approved Housing Body (AHB), founded in 1982 and headquartered in Waterford. The organisation owns or manages 8,611 properties housing more than 18,935 tenants nationwide, delivering both social housing (allocated through local authority nominations) and cost rental housing (set at a minimum 25% below local market rates, targeting middle-income households earning below €66,000 in Dublin or €59,000 elsewhere). Beyond housing, Respond operates an integrated portfolio of community services including Early Learning and School Aged Care across 15 locations, Family Homeless Services with 24/7 wraparound support, Daycare Services for Older People, Family Support, a cross-border mental health programme (Right Support Right Time), and Refugee Resettlement Services.
Operationally, Respond is differentiated by a vertical construction-led model: 82% of activity is in-house construction, executed by internal architectural, construction and legal teams. Its technology footprint is modest — a Tenant Information Portal System (TIPS) for rent viewing and payment history, and a Cost Rental Lottery System for transparent allocation of below-market rental homes — with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Distribution is dual-channel: social housing tenants are sourced through local authority waiting lists and nominations, while cost rental applicants enter a direct-to-consumer online lottery. A nine-office national network (Dublin, Waterford, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Navan, Clonmel, Abbeyleix, Ennis) provides tenant support.
Respond's revenue model combines government capital funding — Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF), Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL), and Housing Finance Agency long-term loans — with recurring tenant rents (differential rent for social housing, below-market rent for cost rental). FY2023 turnover was €67.5m (up from €56.9m in FY2022) with €8.5m in profit. Customer satisfaction is reported at 95% on the main website (89% in structured scale commentary).
Respond Housing Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Respond Housing Association
- Legal name
- Respond
- Website
- https://respond.ie
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Respond Housing Association is Ireland's largest construction-led Approved Housing Body, owning or managing 8,611 properties and housing more than 18,935 tenants. It delivers social and cost rental housing alongside integrated community services including childcare, homelessness support, and older-person daycare nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Respond Housing Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Social and Affordable Housing Services
- NAICS
- New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116), Residential Building Construction (2361)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI), Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF)
Keywords
Where Respond Housing Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waterford
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
Respond Housing Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Funding and Grants: Respond receives substantial government support including Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) for social homes, Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) for cost rental affordability, and long-term loans from Housing Finance Agency. Annual turnover was €67.5m in 2023 with profit of €8.5m.
- Tenant Rents: Differential rent calculated based on household income (20% on income over €100/week, with €15 minimum and €130 maximum weekly caps). Cost Rental rents set at minimum 25% below market rates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Weekly | Differential Rent (Social Housing) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Cost Rental Housing |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Griffin Point Dublin 13 |
| Subscription | Weekly | Service Charges |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Respond Housing Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Respond Housing Association is Ireland's largest construction-led Approved Housing Body, providing social housing and cost rental housing through owned and managed properties nationwide. It supplies secure, affordable homes for local-authority-nominated tenants and middle-income households earning below €66,000 (Dublin) or €59,000 (elsewhere), alongside construction-led property development delivered by in-house architectural, quantity surveying, legal, and construction teams.
Product overview
Respond Housing Association is Ireland's largest Approved Housing Body (AHB) providing a portfolio of housing and community services. The core offering comprises Cost Rental Housing (affordable rental at 25%+ below market rates for households earning below €66,000/€59,000) and Social Housing (income-based rental for local authority nominees). Supporting services include Early Learning and School Aged Care (ELSAC) across 15 locations, Family Homeless Services with 24/7 wraparound support, Daycare Services for Older People, Family Support programs, Right Support Right Time (cross-border mental health), and Refugee Resettlement Services. A Tenant Portal provides online rent payment and repair reporting. The Property Development division handles construction-led delivery of homes nationwide through internal multi-disciplinary teams.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cost Rental Housing Rental homes available at minimum 25% below local market rates, allocated to households earning below €66,000 (Dublin) or €59,000 (elsewhere) who do not qualify for social housing but cannot afford market rents. Affordability test ensures rent does not exceed 35% of net household income.
- Social Housing Long-term rental homes allocated to households on Irish local authority waiting lists through nomination. Rents are calculated via income-based differential rent (minimum €15/week, maximum €130/week).
- Tenant Portal Online self-service portal for Respond tenants to view rent charges and payment history, pay rent online, report repairs, and manage their tenancy.
- Early Learning and School Aged Care (ELSAC) Childcare and early education services, including full day care, pre-school, and after-school care for children from 9 months to 12 years, delivered across 15 national locations. All services are registered with TUSLA.
- Family Homeless Services 24/7 emergency accommodation with wraparound support for families experiencing homelessness, including counselling, housing progression workshops, and child/youth development programmes. Delivered in partnership with DRHE and Dublin local authorities.
- Daycare Services for Older People Community-based, nurse- or care-led daycare providing socialisation, meals, activities, and health monitoring to help older people continue living independently.
- Family Support One-to-one and group support services for families, including parenting programmes, wellness workshops, and practical assistance focused on early intervention.
- Right Support Right Time Cross-border mental health and wellbeing service delivered in partnership with seven charities, offering consultations, awareness sessions and support access for people in Cavan, Leitrim, Donegal, and Louth. Funded by PEACEPLUS/SEUPB.
- Refugee Resettlement Services Programmes supporting refugees through the resettlement process, integrated into Respond's housing communities to aid social integration.
- Property Development Construction-led housing development service delivering social and cost rental homes through internal architectural, quantity surveying, construction, and legal teams. Includes 82% direct construction-led activity.
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% tenant satisfaction rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Respond Housing Association
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Respond Housing Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Respond Housing Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The Housing AgencycoreGovernment body working in partnership on housing development projects, policy development, and housing supply initiatives.
- Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE)corePartnership for delivery of Family Homeless Services in Dublin region, providing emergency accommodation with 24/7 wraparound support.
- HSE (Health Service Executive)coreCollaboration on health and wellbeing initiatives including community health promotion days, and provision of healthcare services in housing developments (e.g., primary care centres).
- TUSLAcoreChild and Family Agency responsible for regulation and inspection of early years settings. All Respond early learning services are registered with TUSLA.
- Local Authorities (Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council, Offaly County Council, Wicklow County Council, etc.)corePartnership for housing development, property nominations, and homeless services. Local authorities nominate tenants and provide funding through various schemes.
- Housing AlliancecoreCollaboration of Ireland's seven largest Approved Housing Bodies. Respond is a member along with Circle Voluntary Housing Association, Clúid Housing, Co-operative Housing Ireland, Oaklee, The Iveagh Trust, and Tuath Housing. Together they own/manage 50,000+ homes.
- Free Kicks FoundationminorPartnership with Drogheda United providing football-related experiences for children who are ill, bereaved, or disadvantaged in Respond communities.
- Drogheda UnitedminorFootball club partnership providing community mascot experiences for young Respond tenants through the Free Kicks Foundation.
- The Alzheimer Society of IrelandminorCollaboration for community health promotion events providing information and guidance for people living with dementia and their carers.
- Irish Heart FoundationminorPartner for community health promotion days providing free blood pressure and pulse checks for tenants and local residents.
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI)minorPartnership to pilot the Brain Healthy Village concept at Rathcoran Estate, focused on improving brain health of vulnerable populations.
- Consultoría de Innovación SocialminorEU partner in Flourish Erasmus+ project for innovative approaches to staff development in Family Homeless Services.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights1 record
Respond Housing Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Circle Voluntary Housing Association: Circle VHA is a Housing Alliance member operating social and affordable rental homes across Ireland. Directly comparable in mission, scale, and funding model as an Approved Housing Body.
- Clúid Housing: One of Ireland's largest Approved Housing Bodies and a fellow Housing Alliance member. Clúid directly competes with Respond in providing social and affordable rental housing across Ireland, with overlapping funding mechanisms (CALF/HFA) and tenant segments.
- Tuath Housing: Tuath is one of the seven Housing Alliance members and provides social and cost rental housing nationwide. Directly comparable to Respond in AHB structure, government funding reliance, and tenant allocation via local authority nominations.
- Oaklee Housing: Oaklee is part of the Housing Alliance and provides affordable and social rental housing across Ireland. Operates an identical CALF/CREL/HFA funding structure to Respond with comparable tenant segments.
- Co-operative Housing Ireland: Another Housing Alliance peer providing social and affordable rental homes in Ireland. Comparable co-operative/non-profit AHB operating model with shared funding mechanisms and tenant service offerings.
- The Iveagh Trust: Housing Alliance member providing affordable rental homes in the Dublin region. Operates an AHB model similar to Respond but with a more concentrated geographic footprint.
Others
- Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH): ICSH is the representative body for Approved Housing Bodies in Ireland. Not a competitor, but a sector infrastructure/advocacy organization that supports all AHBs including Respond.
Emerging players
- Simon Communities of Ireland: Simon Communities provides homeless services and supported housing across Ireland. Overlaps with Respond's Family Homeless Services and broader tenant support mission, though it does not operate as an AHB.
- Focus Ireland: Focus Ireland is a major national homelessness and housing charity. Compareable in its homeless-services offering (overlapping Respond's Family Homeless Services), tenancy support, and policy advocacy in the Irish housing sector.
Regional players
- Threshold (National Housing Charity): Threshold is Ireland's national housing charity providing advice and support to renters in the private rental market. Adjacent rather than directly competing, but operates in the same Irish affordable-housing ecosystem and policy environment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Respond Housing Association social profiles
Digital presenceRespond Housing Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Respond Housing Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Respond Housing Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Respond Housing Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Respond Housing Association
What does Respond Housing Association do?
Respond Housing Association is Ireland's largest construction-led Approved Housing Body, providing social housing and cost rental housing through owned and managed properties nationwide. It supplies secure, affordable homes for local-authority-nominated tenants and middle-income households earning below €66,000 (Dublin) or €59,000 (elsewhere), alongside construction-led property development delivered by in-house architectural, quantity surveying, legal, and construction teams.
Is Respond Housing Association a public or private company?
Respond Housing Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Respond Housing Association founded?
Respond Housing Association was founded in 1982. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Respond Housing Association based?
Respond Housing Association is headquartered in Waterford, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Respond Housing Association make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding and Grants are the primary driver. The others are tenant Rents.
Who are Respond Housing Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Circle Voluntary Housing Association, Clúid Housing, Tuath Housing, Oaklee Housing, Co-operative Housing Ireland and The Iveagh Trust. Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) is listed as an others. Emerging players are Simon Communities of Ireland and Focus Ireland. Threshold (National Housing Charity) is listed as a regional player.
Does Respond Housing Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Respond Housing Association.
What industry is Respond Housing Association in?
Respond Housing Association's product category is Social and Affordable Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAC, Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts), with a secondary code of IMAFABAI, Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction. Its NAICS code is 236116 and its SIC code is 7340.