Logo - CHF Canada

‘Co-op Difference’ report shows housing affordability gap increasing between housing co-ops and market rentals

Published November 23, 2022

This month, in partnership with several regional co-op housing federations, CHF Canada launched a new research report called The Co-op Difference: Comparing co-op and market rents in five Canadian cities.

Produced by housing researchers Greg Suttor, Chidom Otogwu and Nick Falvo, the report found that housing charges in co-ops have been consistently lower than rents in comparable buildings in the private market, and that the gap widened over the 16-year study period.

While in the early years, the co-op housing costs were, on average, $150-200 less per month than similar market rental buildings, this gap widened to upwards of $400-500 per month in the later years in all cities, except in Edmonton where the gap is more modest.

This Vancouver Sun article featuring CHF BC CEO Thom Armstrong is based largely on the research findings.


Don't miss out on the latest co-op news, success stories, and helpful resources for your co-op. Sign up here to receive our eNews every two weeks straight to your inbox!