Vision: Co-op Housing for All

As Canada’s co-op housing movement moves past the half century mark – we face new challenges and opportunities.

Canada is in the midst of a devastating housing crisis, coupled with health and environmental crises. Meanwhile, co-op housing offers an inclusive, affordable, community housing solution that can help address these issues and more.

But how to ensure co-ops are secure well into the future – and how to make co-op housing an option for all those interested – so that co-op housing is a key part of solving the housing crisis, through affordability, sustainability, and community, is where the co-op housing movement is concentrating its efforts.

Housing co-ops and sector organizations deliberated these key questions as part of regional meetings and a national Vision Summit. The result was a CHF Canada member resolution in 2018 outlining a Co-operative Housing for All vision for the sector.

What does Co-op Housing for All mean?

Co-op Housing for All is an exciting commitment by housing co-ops and sector organizations to work together towards sustainability and growth. It’s about ensuring co-ops are secure well into the future and developing more co-op homes so that anyone interested in co-op housing and willing to accept the responsibilities and benefits of membership can do so.

Learn what housing co-ops and sector organizations are doing

• Building new communities of co-ops by coming together.
• Building new co-op homes and growing the sector.
• Sharing ideas and experience through the ‘Co-op Housing for All’ Peer Network.

Why is this important?

Members have spoken and have said that the co-operative housing members and the sector need:

• More co-op homes that are affordable, energy-efficient, and meet changing member needs.
• Greater financial and operational resilience.
• Improved building conditions and quality of life.
• Strong and stable governance and management.
• Increased public awareness and investment in co-op housing across Canada.

How can my co-op get involved?

Here’s how you can be a part of Co-op Housing for All:

• Follow Co-op Housing for All online via this webpage. This page will contain news stories, videos and resources, all continuously updated;
• Reach out to your regional co-op housing federation or to the CHF Canada regional office nearest you to find out how your co-op can get involved as part of the vision; and
• If you have experience in co-op housing development or governance solutions, join our Peer Network to share your knowledge.

Together, let’s make the next half century focused on strengthening and growing the co-operative housing movement!

Resources:

• Follow stories about Co-op-led development news and initiatives.
• Co-op Housing for All three-page info sheet (share this with your board)
• Read the Co-op Housing for All Vision Framework
• Check out development resources on our Building New Co-op Homes page.