Canada’s housing co-ops ready to support the historic affordable homebuilding goals of the federal government  

Published May 27, 2025

Housing co-operatives from coast to coast to coast recognize and appreciate that the federal government has placed a priority on building affordable homes, as outlined in today’s Speech from the Throne.

We are particularly encouraged by the government’s commitment to ensure the new Build Canada Homes entity will operate as a mission-driven organization to deliver new affordable housing, quickly and at scale. This is deeply aligned with the co-operative housing sector, which is mission-driven in its approach to both developing and operating affordable homes.

“Co-operative homes across the country have remained affordable and secure because of our sector’s unwavering commitment to our mission. We have held steadfast at a time when elsewhere rents have skyrocketed, and reno-victions and other forms of displacement have become too common, hurting Canadians and the economy.” said Tim Ross, CEO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada.

The co-operative housing sector has significant homebuilding and operational expertise, having delivered tens of thousands of homes over decades. This has recently accelerated with the federal investment provided by the Co-operative Housing Development Program, which is creating the next generation of co-operative homes. We are, in effect, a longstanding affordable homebuilder.

“With over 70% of Canadians supporting the expansion of co-op and non-profit housing, we are ready and able to partner with government to scale up our homebuilding to do our part to create good jobs, ensure permanently affordable homes in co-operative communities and build a more resilient Canada.” continued Ross.