Atlantic living road map

Canada’s Atlantic region has a long and distinguished co-op housing history.

In the spring of 2019 at the first Atlantic Summit, over 100 co-op members came together to discuss the region’s many contributions and milestones to produce this timeline.

We will continue to add to it as more co-op history is made. If you would like to suggest additions, please let us know at info@chfcanada.coop.

2019

• October 2019, Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes was successful in saving 39 units of existing co-operative housing. For the last several years, four co-operatives across Nova Scotia were struggling and were at risk of being lost to the co-operative sector. Compass NS presented a proposal to save the units and the proposal was accepted.
• In September 2019, Central Dartmouth Housing Co-operative was the first co-operative to amalgamate with Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes.
• First Atlantic Summit held in Dartmouth, NS, bringing together members and stakeholders from across the region for education and networking.
• The NS Diversity Scholarship is being expanded in 2020 to become the Atlantic Region Diversity Scholarship, which will allow students from all four provinces to apply.

2018

• The Atlantic Region was well represented at CHF Canada’s Vision Summit in February, when leaders from across the country gathered to share ideas for the future of Canada’s co-operative housing movement.
• Neighbourhood Housing Co-op (28 units) amalgamates with Unified Saint John, bringing the total number of units to 280.
• Brunswick Co-operative Housing Association (BRUNCH) closes its doors in New Brunswick.
• Halifax Women’s Housing Co-op and Lamplight Housing Co-operative pay off their mortgages.
• Evangeline Courts Housing Co-operative – celebrates 30 years, will have their mortgage paid off in 2019.

2017

• CHF Canada appointed to PEI Housing Supply Task Force to contribute to the Provincial Housing Action Plan. The PEI Government agrees that development of co-op housing is a priority.
• $1 million in federal funding given to nonprofit and co-op housing in PEI for unit upgrades.
• A liquidator is appointed to dissolve four housing co-ops in Nova Scotia.
• Island View Co-operative (24 units) in Charlottetown, celebrates being a CHF Canada Member for 30 years.
• John Hugh MacKenzie Housing Co-op on Green Street in Halifax, a 42- unit apartment-style building, celebrates their 25^th Anniversary

2016

• Newfoundland & Labrador Housing Corporation and CHF Canada sign Memorandum of Understanding to offer support to co-ops in NFLD
• Eight housing co-ops merge in Saint John, NB and become Unified Saint John, creating a new co-operative comprised of 252 units
• Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes is incorporated

2015

• The first Nova Scotia Diversity Scholarship is awarded to Nikita Wallace from Privateer Housing Co-operative in Liverpool

• CHF Canada holds its AGM in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, for the first time
• CHF Canada’s Nova Scotia office assumes responsibility for all four Atlantic Provinces

2014

• CHF Canada launches the You Hold the Key Campaign calling for funding in the next federal budget to replace expiring rental assistance for low-income households in federally-funded housing co‑ops

2012

• Canada’s housing co‑ops joins other co‑ops from across the country to celebrate the International Year of Co‑operatives. Many CHF Canada member housing co‑ops display banners advertising the 2012 slogan: “Co‑operative Enterprises Build a Better World.”
• Alliance Housing Co-op merges with Needham Housing Co-op, allowing more units and stronger financials for repairs.
• Jenny’s Spring Community Housing Co-op develops 12 new units in Saint John, NB

2011

• CHF Canada AGM held in St. John’s, Newfoundland

2008

• Housing Nova Scotia launches Social Housing Affordable Repair Program (SHARP). It became part of the stimulus funding program during the recession and provided housing co-operatives funding for building envelop repairs
• Community Housing Management Network established to help co-ops in difficulty and fill gaps in local management services

2006

• In Saint John a three-unit building is lost to fire, and South City Housing Co-op builds a 21-unit building in its place

2005

• The Agency for Co-operative Housing signs a service agreement with CMHC. After a year of preparation, the Agency ramps up to full service delivery in Prince Edward Island

2004

• Co-operative Housing Federation of NS closes its doors
• The Agency for Co-operative Housing, created as a result of lobbying by CHF Canada to better oversee federal program housing co-ops, is incorporated as a co-op

2003

• Housing Nova Scotia provides first AGM Bursary to members to attend the CHF Canada AGM held in Halifax, Nova Scotia

2002

• CHF Canada opens Nova Scotia Office with two staff positions to serve members. The office and services are supported by an additional regional dues levy and a grant from Housing NS.
• The Nova Scotia Housing Development Corporation and CHF Canada enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to work collaboratively to ensure the sustainability and viability of housing co-ops in the province.

2001

• Four Corners Housing Co-ops (125 units) is created through the amalgamation of four housing co-ops in Yarmouth, NS

1997

• Provinces of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and New Brunswick sign Social Housing Agreement, transferring the administration of the social housing portfolio to the provinces

1995

• Brunswick Co-operative Housing Association (BRUNCH) established to support networking and lobbying for New Brunswick’s housing co-ops

1994

• CHF Canada holds AGM in Halifax for a second time

1993

• Golden Terraces Housing Co-op (39 units) officially opens its doors in January as the first seniors’ apartment building in Moncton, New Brunswick
• New Brunswick Non Profit Housing Association opens and provides expertise and support for the nonprofit and affordable housing sector in New Brunswick. Housing Co-ops can be members of NBNPHA

1991

• Members across Canada actively protest the demise of the National Co-op Housing Strategy

1990

• The Co-operative Housing Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (CHANAL) is incorporated March 9, 1990, developed to provide networking opportunities for housing co-ops as well as management services. Co-ops in Newfoundland are members of both CHANAL and CHF Canada through a joint sector membership agreement

1989

• CHF Canada holds its AGM in St. John’s, NL, for the first time

1988

• Evangeline Courts Housing, a 27 unit co-op in Wolfville, NS, is established

1987

• CHF Canada holds its AGM in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the first time

1982

• Co-operative Housing Federation of Nova Scotia is created, to support housing co-ops in the province.
• Albro Court Housing, a 24 unit co-op in Dartmouth, NS, is established

1981

• • Newfie Co-op, Halifax, NS, opens with all 12 units occupied by Newfoundlanders, hence the name. As of 2019, their current president has lived in the co-op for 37 years

• Housing Alternatives Resource Group opens doors in Saint John, NB, and is a nationally accredited, non-profit resource group. Their mandate is to add to the housing supply and provide housing-related services to improve the quality of life for people of low to moderate income in New Brunswick

1980

• TRAC Housing Co-op, Moncton (20 units) is established as the first continuing housing co-op in New Brunswick
• High Hopes Housing Co-op (23 units) is incorporated in Halifax, NS. It continues to have high member involvement and decision making at monthly general member meetings.

1976

• Westmoor 57 is established when homes that were privately owned were going to be torn down. The occupants were given a month to get together and start a housing co-operative.

1975

• OVO Housing Co-operative (16 units) is incorporated under the Section 61 funding program, in November 1975 and was the first in Nova Scotia.

1968

• Cooperative Housing Foundation of Canada established. In its first year, it helped 22 organizations set up co-operative boards to try to organize housing projects.

1930s

• Moses M. Coady and JJ Tompkins were key figures in the Antigonish Co-operative Movement. In 1939, 11 houses were built, and the co-op was called Tompkinsville.  The co-op was officially dissolved once the houses were built and the loan repaid.
• In 1934, the first meeting of Nova Scotia credit unions was held in Sydney.