In Canada, co-op housing comes in different types, from big apartment-style complexes to small buildings and townhouses. Members enjoy multiple advantages such as a sense of belonging and community, safety, and affordability.

Responsibilities of Co-Ops and Members

Co-ops have responsibilities to members under relevant acts, legislation, and agreements such as funding agreements, territorial and provincial co-op acts, and occupancy agreements. Members also have a number of duties, including the obligation to follow participation, housing, maintenance, and parking rules, to make timely payments, and attend committee and general meetings. At meetings, members amend rules and bylaws, approve a budget, and discuss financial matters. The rules that members agree on relate to their obligations, rights, and qualifications, finances, transferability of interest, and procedures and conditions for withdrawal.

Co-op members can vote on matters such as housing charges, amending rues and policies, and electing directors. They also have the right to use all services offered by the co-op and make decisions on management and maintenance.

Facts and Figures

There are a total of 2,212 co-ops in Canada, most of which found in Quebec (1,130), Ontario (551), British Columbia (275), and the Prairies (129). About 12 percent of households living in co-op units have a member with a long-term disability, and 50 percent are female single-parent or single-person households. One-fifth of members are immigrants, and 4 percent are visible minorities. Only 4 percent of residents are of aboriginal ancestry.

Organizations and Agencies

The Agency for Cooperative Housing is responsible for the administration of government programs in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The main values and governing principles behind its work are sustainability, accountability, cooperation, innovation, excellence, trust, transparency, and respect. The agency is tasked with the administration of two programs – the Rental Assistance Program and Rent Supplement Program. The latter is a program under which qualified households in PEI and Ontario are eligible to receive assistance.  The Rental Assistance Program offers financial support (https://www.smartborrowing.ca/best-secured-credit-cards-in-canada/) with a combined income of $40,000 or less. They are asked to provide proof of regular income such as private disability pension, on-reserve income, family support, alimony, etc. In addition, applicants also present proof of rent which can be in the form of copy of tenancy agreement or lease or rent receipt showing landlord name, date, amount paid, and address. Finally, applicants are asked to show proof of assets such as proof of corporate shares, property tax assessments, or copies of bank statements.

Cooperative Housing Federation of Canada

The federation is committed to ensuring affordable and safe housing and offers resources, advice, and help with locating a cooperative. CHF also offers financial planning services to co-ops that need financing for upgrades and replacements such as heating, siding, and roofing. CHF Canada’s Asset Management Services also provide assistance with project management, procurement for project design, and building condition assessment. In addition, the federation assists co-ops in applying for loan financing (https://www.smartborrowing.ca/) for upgrades and long-term capital replacements. Applicants are offered help with filling in paperwork, reviewing loan offers, preparing applications, and assessments of what repairs or improvements are required. A number of housing co-ops have received funding through CHF, including Windfield Co-operative Homes ($3.8 million), Westwood Place Housing Co-operative ($1.9 million), and Venture Place Housing Co-op ($4.3 million).

A nationwide organization, the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada has 902 members, including sponsoring organizations, management companies, associations of housing staff, and local and provincial associations. With offices in Halifax, London, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Vancouver, CHF is member-owned and financed through a combination of investments and earnings, small grants for projects, revenue from commercial services, and the National Endowment Fund.

Strategic Plan

The Co-operative Housing Federation has adopted a strategic plan which aims to ensure sustainability and inclusion and facilitate housing growth. Among the main goals are improved collaboration, reconciliation with Indigenous communities, advocacy to government agencies, and facilitating partnerships. The plan has been developed to ensure that members’ needs are fully accounted for, including advocacy, resources, education, and access to enterprise services such as refinancing, asset management, and insurance.

Scholarships and Grants

CHF features a number of awards such as the Diversity Scholarship, Member Loyalty Award, Young Member Discount, and Management Scholarship. The Diversity Scholarship is offered to young persons who are enrolled full-time and involved in promoting diversity. The program is open to Canadians living in Manitoba, Southwestern Ontario, and the Atlantic Provinces. The Management Scholarship is awarded to individuals enrolled in post-secondary programs in areas such as Administration, Finance, and Business Asset Management. Only persons pursuing a degree at a recognized training institute, college, or university are eligible to apply.

Workshops and Events

The Co-operative Housing Federation also organizes and hosts different workshops and events, including management training and events aiming to discuss advocacy and issues of concern and to foster network building. Management training is offered in the form of online courses, newsletters, conferences, handbooks, and workshops, including an introductory course and the Co-operative Management Conference. Co-operative studies and property management programs are also offered by institutions of higher education such as the University of Victoria, University of Winnipeg, and Chartered Institute of Housing.

An annual general meeting is also held, featuring a variety of events such as networking sessions, social events, regional caucuses, a meeting of the Ontario Region, and training and workshops for managers and members. A business meeting is held as well, featuring the election of the Ontario Council along with resolutions and reports. The annual general meeting takes place in different venues in London, Calgary, Ottawa, and Victoria and online.

Services

CHF provides a number of services to members, including financial planning and asset management, insurance, and investment, aiming to assist staff with managing, budgeting, and planning and accessing long-term financial assistance. Asset management services include technical reports, developing management plans, and building condition assessments. Asset management services help members to deal with issues such as access to funding, cost of repair, long-term sustainability, and quality of housing.

In addition to planning and management services, the federation provides support and advice to members facing financial difficulties and marketing and building problems as well as issues with housing departments, CMHC, and mortgage providers.

Advocacy

The federation is actively involved in advocacy to ensure that low-income families have access to affordable and safe housing. One of the main goals is to deal with the housing shortage in Ontario in view of the fact that more than 171,000 households are still on waiting lists. The federation has made a number of recommendations to the federal government so that individuals at risk are able to afford municipal, non-profit, co-op housing. In addition to adapting existing programs, it is necessary to provide rental incentives and to invest in building urban infrastructure to ensure that affordable housing is available.