Back to Reports

Annual Report

CHF Canada Annual Report 2024

Building homes, changing lives

A woman with short gray hair and bangs smiles with arms crossed, standing outdoors on a city street wearing a black top, reflecting the community spirit of Co-operative Housing.

Cassia Kantrow

President

A man wearing glasses, a blue blazer, and a light blue shirt stands outdoors, smiling at the camera with a blurred background of trees and buildings—reflecting the spirit of co-operative housing supported by CHF Canada.

Tim Ross

Executive Director

Dear co-operators,

2024 was a pivotal year for the co-operative housing movement – one of growth, milestones, and collective progress. We celebrated the launch of the Co-operative Housing Development Program and the opening of new co-operative homes across the country. We also took significant steps to ensure co-ops thrive into the future – introducing new programs and services for our members and securing advocacy wins, including the federal government’s commitment to extending the Federal Community Housing Initiative (FCHI) rental assistance program. All of this, and more, are together helping us realize our movement’s commitment to Co-operative Housing for All.

In 2025, the UN’s International Year of Co-operatives, co-op housing will be more essential than ever. The ongoing housing crisis has reinforced the need for real, lasting solutions, while political and economic uncertainty – both in Canada and beyond – has demonstrated the value of sustainable, resilient, and community-first solutions. In challenging times, history has shown us that resilience is built through co-operation.

Together, we’ll build new co-op homes and strengthen our co-op communities. Because when we build co-op housing, we’re not just creating homes – we’re changing lives.

Growth and Development

Workers on a house roof receive building materials lifted by a crane, highlighting the teamwork found in co-operative housing. Lush trees and a clear sky provide the backdrop, reflecting CHF Canada’s commitment to quality housing.

In June, on the eve of our 2024 Annual Meeting in Winnipeg, we celebrated the launch of the federal Co-operative Housing Development Program. This $1.5 billion initiative – the first federal co-op housing development program in over 30 years – marks a crucial step in building the next generation of co-op homes. This milestone was the result of years of dedicated advocacy from all parts of our sector in all regions of the country.

CHF Canada members are committed to Co-operative Housing for All. In 2024, co-ops raised their voices to call for more co-op housing and invested time, energy and resources into member-led development projects, including new co-op communities, acquisitions and conversions and expansion initiatives.

Four people wearing safety vests and hard hats stand together on a rooftop, overlooking the cityscape and blue sky, showcasing their commitment to co-operative housing with CHF Canada.

Members of Caroline Co-op participating in development initiatives.

Four adults stand outside a modern building, with one person holding a plaque celebrating Co-operative Housing while the others smile for the photo.

Kingston Co-operatives Homes.

A dark blue background features a subtle, minimalist house icon with a large letter "A" in its center and a curved line beneath it, evoking the spirit of Co-operative Housing.

Co-operative Housing Development Program Launch Announcement

Supporting Co-op Growth

CHF Canada also took a major step in 2024 by launching new development services dedicated to fostering co-op housing growth, with an expanding array of resources, supports and services for co-operative housing development.

White text reading "Build Co-op Homes" is placed over a blue background with a geometric yellow outline resembling abstract doors or walls, reflecting CHF Canada's commitment to advancing co-operative housing.

Smiling person holding a sign that reads "Co-op Housing For All" with a rainbow roof graphic above the text, highlighting the importance of Co-operative Housing and support from CHF Canada.

Two women stand indoors, holding a sign reading, "Secure. Affordable forever. Member-controlled. Let's create more co-op homes," promoting Co-operative Housing in Canada with rocks and a glass ceiling in the background.

Advocacy

Three women stand side by side, smiling at the camera, wearing conference badges and casual-professional attire at a CHF Canada co-operative housing event.

CHF Canada’s advocacy work led to a commitment to extend the Federal Community Housing Initiative (FCHI) rental assistance program. Rental assistance programs are essential to ensuring housing co-ops remain mixed-income communities, and FCHI was originally set to end in 2028. The five-year extension will provide greater stability for co-ops while CHF Canada continues to push for longer-term rental assistance programs at both the federal and provincial levels.

We also continued to push for a fully funded Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, developed and delivered for and by the Indigenous community housing sector. We have made it clear to elected officials that we view this Strategy as an integral component of true reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

In 2024, CHF Canada and our members played an active role in provincial elections in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, highlighting the urgent need for more co-op housing and stronger support for existing co-ops.

In Ontario, we raised our voices at the annual Co-op Housing Day at Queen’s Park. In Nova Scotia, we partnered with the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association to host the first-ever Non-Profit and Co-op Housing Day. We also participated in the Manitoba Non-Profit Housing Association’s Housing Day, an annual advocacy event.

The growing momentum for co-op housing advocacy will carry into 2025, as we gear up for a federal election campaign.

A group of people stand on stone steps outside a historic building, holding blue and orange signs supporting Co-operative Housing and CHF Canada.

CHF Canada held Co-op Housing Day in Ontario alongside regional federations.

Eight women stand in a formal room, five holding green or blue signs with text supporting co-operative housing. A chandelier and a large painting are visible in the background.

Nova Scotia Housing Day.

Member Services

Four people sit around a table in a conference room, writing on papers and talking. Two women with blue lanyards smile, engaged in a Co-operative Housing discussion. Other attendees are blurred in the background at this CHF Canada event.

Strong member services help co-ops thrive. In 2024, CHF Canada continued to support our members through a range of services, programs, and education opportunities.

Co-operative Housing Management Accreditation (CHMA) Program

The Co-operative Housing Management Accreditation (CHMA) program is the first ever accreditation program for co-op housing management, launched in partnership with the Institute of Housing Management (IHM). In 2024, we officially launched the program, with the first in-person class held at our Annual Meeting in June.

Four people sit at a table with notebooks, listening and smiling during a meeting about co-operative housing. A large CHMA (Co-operative Housing Management Accreditation) badge is overlaid, highlighting CHF Canada’s commitment to excellence in housing.

Commercial Insurance and Risk Management

CHF Canada’s Commercial Insurance Program continues to deliver strong value to members, offering reliable, tailored coverage that reflects the unique needs of housing co‑ops. With consistently high participation rates, the program helps members access competitive rates, expert claims support, and peace of mind.

To help co-ops stay safe, we also expanded our Risk Management Program. In 2024, we launched a revamped version with new tools and resources to support co-ops in identifying and reducing risk.

Asset and Financial Planning Services

Sound asset management and financial planning are essential for co-ops to remain sustainable for the long term. In 2024, CHF Canada provided tailored support to housing co-ops across the country, helping members make informed decisions about building maintenance, capital planning, and financial future.

Education

Education is a key co-operative principle, and in 2024, CHF Canada expanded its library of online resources, launched new e-learning modules, and hosted interactive in-person and online education events.

Building Our Movement

Three people stand together and smile at a Co-operative Housing conference event, with others seated in the background and a presentation screen displaying "WINNIPEG" and French text, highlighting CHF Canada’s commitment to housing.

Throughout the year, CHF Canada members from across the country came together to learn, share ideas, and build connections.

Annual Meeting

More than 500 co-op members and staff gathered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for our 2024 Annual Meeting.

A group of people stands and sits on a stage holding a red COOP flag, representing Co-operative Housing, with two podiums and large screens displaying their image in the background at a CHF Canada event.

A woman stands at a podium, smiling and clapping, with microphones in front of her and a textured wall in the background at a CHF Canada co-operative housing event.

A performer in bright clothing stands on stage holding multiple colorful hoops, their vibrant energy reminiscent of the unity found in Co-operative Housing, against a textured backdrop lit with blue and yellow lights.

Six people pose together indoors, all wearing blue scarves, with a large screen showing a similar group photo in the background—showcasing their pride in Co-operative Housing and connection to CHF Canada.

Regional Education Events

CHF Canada hosted six Fall Regional Education Events, bringing co-op members together for full-day sessions focused on learning, exchanging ideas, and strengthening connections between co-ops.

A collage of people at a co-op event, including group photos, individuals holding CHF Canada and Co-operative Housing signs, and participants seated at tables in conference rooms.

Online Learning and Exchange

Beyond in-person events, members connected virtually throughout the year, participating in online events and discussion spaces such as the Aging in Place Exchange Network.

Staff and Board Members

A group of fifteen people, some seated and some standing, pose indoors wearing blue scarves or sashes. Large windows line the background, highlighting their commitment to Co-operative Housing and CHF Canada.

CHF Canada’s Elected Board of Directors and Committees serve a vital role in our success and represent co-op voices across the country.

A group of sixteen adults, wearing blue scarves, stand together on outdoor stairs and a landing in a courtyard, posing for a group photo to celebrate Co-operative Housing with CHF Canada.

Staff

CHF Canada’s talented and hardworking staff team is dedicated to supporting our members and expanding co-op housing across Canada.

CHF Canada is dedicated to creating a positive work environment for our staff and we’re proud to once again be named Capital Region Top Employer in 2024.

A large group of people poses together on a staircase in a modern indoor setting, smiling at the camera. There are potted plants nearby, highlighting the welcoming spirit of co-operative housing with CHF Canada.

Financials at December 31, 2024

26,302,933

Total assets

7,975,296

Operating revenues

8,146,180

Operating expenses

2,809,491

Operating fund balance

8,489,880

Total reserves

$13,232,990

Endowment funds

View detailed financials

Our past reports

Annual Report 2023

See Report

Annual Report 2023

See Report