CHF CANADA OPTIMISTIC AFTER FEDERAL BUDGET; SEND A MESSAGE TO YOUR MP!

Following today’s release of a federal budget that committed long-term, new investments aimed at addressing affordable housing challenges, co‑ops are saying they are ready to work with the federal government to address Canada’s housing crunch.

Most importantly, the budget contained a deadline for resolving the affordability crisis caused by the end of operating agreements. According to the budget, the federal government intends to preserve a baseline of funding related to these agreements so that affordability is preserved, with details to be defined this year.

“Housing co‑ops applaud the federal government’s significant new investment in housing,” said CHF Canada Executive Director, Nicholas Gazzard in CHF Canada’s news release. "The lack of choice and affordability in housing for low- and moderate-income Canadians is a major issue, and housing co‑ops offer a proven solution. We’re ready to partner with the federal government to leverage our successful model to create new affordable co‑op homes for Canadians.”

CHF Canada has called on the federal government to recommit long term support starting in budget 2017 in order to protect affordability for low-income households.

Despite the very positive contents in the federal budget, we need to make our voices heard to seal the deal. Our Protect Co-op Housing advocacy website has been set up so that you can send a message to your MP now and support this campaign to protect thousands of vulnerable low-income co‑op members.

ELECTION CHANGES: ADDITIONAL AT-LARGE BOARD OPENING AND THREE YEAR TERMS FOR ONTARIO AND NEWFOUNDLAND

Please note that the terms for the Ontario regional director and the Newfoundland/Labrador regional director are for three years each, not the previous terms indicated.

In addition, due to a recent resignation from the Board of Directors, there will now be four (4) at-large positions up for election.

An updated Call for Candidates has been posted on the resources page of the Annual Meeting website.

The nomination deadline is 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on March 31, 2017. Send the declaration form and the confirmation of good standing by email to kethier@chfcanada.coop or by fax to to 613-230-2231.

CHF CANADA PRESIDENT FEATURED IN CANADA 150 INITIATIVE

Nicole Waldron is one of 150 history-making Canadian women profiled in a project called HERstory in Black, in recognition of Black History Month and Canada’s 150th birthday.

Nicole’s HERstory profile describes her as “the first African-Canadian president of the Co‑operative Housing Federation”. Other profiles include pioneers from a diverse range of backgrounds and careers, from neuroscientists and tattoo artists to lawyers and politicians. Nicole says she was honoured to be part of an initiative that seeks to uplift people, because “uplifting others is something I’m dedicated to personally and professionally.”

HERstory in Black is the brainchild of Emily Mills, a CBC communications officer. It grew from another Mills project called How She Hustles that started as local mutual support get-togethers and has evolved into a network of more than 5,000 women across Canada. Mills pitched HERstory to the CBC, and the result was a compilation of photos by Leilah Dhore and Ebtti Nabag and CBC news stories featuring several of the profiled women. It culminated in a gala event in the atrium of CBC’s Toronto headquarters honouring the profiled women and featuring a musical performance by ‘Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul’ Jully Black.

“It’s great to see the diversity of who these women are and their contributions to Canada,” says Nicole. “And it didn’t matter what they did or the income bracket, they just came together and a sisterhood was built between these women. That is what reminded me of a housing co‑op on the night of the event, because co‑op people understand the strength of community. We feel that comradery, that community, and that united front: that we’re all here to help each other.”

Nicole is pleased that her sister, Lesley Harrison, a community outreach worker who lives in the same co‑op, Atahualpa Co‑operative Homes in Scarborough, was featured in HERstory as well. And it was also exciting that Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted her photo of the gala event.

UNDER 30 AND INTERESTED IN THE ANNUAL MEETING? HAVE YOUR REGISTRATION FEE COVERED!

CHF Canada already offers 50% off the registration fees for young members to attend the AGM. And we’ve sweetened the deal even more this year by partnering with a number of sponsors to offer twelve young members the chance to have their registration fees completely covered!

Our sponsors are committed to helping our next generation of co‑op leaders emerge and agree that CHF Canada’s Annual Meeting is a great opportunity for young co‑op leaders to learn, network and engage with the movement and with each other.

All you need to do is join the Think Young: Emerging Leaders in Co‑op Housing Facebook page and tell us why you think it’s important for young members to attend the Annual Meeting and you’ll be entered! In a twitter soundbite (140 characters or less) post your answer on our Think Young page, tweet us @CHFCanada or email it to cmitchell@chfcanada.coop.

All entries must be received by the early bird registration deadline of May 1 to be eligible. Twelve entries will be drawn at random, and the lucky winners will be notified shortly after.

GREENER CO-OP MICROGRANT APPLICATION PROCESS CLOSED DUE TO HIGH RESPONSE

Due to an overwhelming number of applications received, we are closing the call for proposals to the Greener Co-op Microgrant.

The original deadline was April 15, however we have received so many excellent applications already that we would need three times the current funding to fund all of the proposals. We don’t want to waste members’ time and energy without a reasonable prospect of success.

We are encouraged by the number of co‑ops interested in implementing environmental sustainability projects with the help of the Greener Co‑op Microgrant. And we are working on growing the fund so that more projects can be funded next year.

We apologize for any inconvenience and disappointment this has caused co‑ops that were planning on submitting a proposal. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Julie LaPalme at jlapalme@chfcanada.coop.

MEET ANNIE HILL, SECOND NORTHWEST COOPERATIVE, WASHINGTON DC

Julie LaPalme, Program Director for Co-operative Housing International (CHI), was in Washington, DC last month and met up with Annie Hill who lives in Second Northwest Housing Cooperative, a 30-minute walk from the White House.

Annie has been a member of Second Northwest for 38 years and served on the board for 18 years. Living in a co‑operative has afforded her an opportunity to stay connected with family and community.

“Many of us have lived at the co‑op since the beginning, and our children grew up together. My daughter and her family are living in the co‑op too. The networking with other co‑op members and the friendships you build last a lifetime.”

Shortly after joining the co‑op board, Annie was introduced to the Potomac Association of Housing Cooperatives (PAHC). Annie is now president of PAHC and secretary on the board of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC).

“These two organizations have had a tremendous impact on my life as a co‑operator, and the training that I received has helped me to elevate my leadership skills. I now facilitate training at regional and national events and there is nothing more gratifying than sharing my knowledge of co‑operatives with others.”

Make sure you visit Second Northwest’s website, a great example of what to include on a housing co‑op website.

Annie Hill and Rhonda Dozier at Second Northwest Housing Coop, Washington, DC.

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR THE MANITOBA SPRING EDUCATION EVENT

(This story was sent only to subscribers in MB.)  This spring, on Saturday, April 22, join Manitoba Scotia co ops for a dynamic day of learning, discussion and networking.

• Watch for great sessions on healthy co op communities and healthy co op businesses.
• Join together for an engaging town hall discussion about Our Movement. Our Future. Voicing our vision.
• Benefit from great discounts and give-aways for young members and first timers.

Register online now, before the April 7 early bird discount deadline

For more information, contact Blair Hamilton at 1-888-591-3301 or bhamilton@chfcanada.coop in the CHF Canada Manitoba Regional Office.

EARLY BIRD DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR NOVA SCOTIA SPRING EDUCATION EVENT

(This story was sent only to subscribers in NS.)  This spring, on Saturday, April 29, join Nova Scotia co ops for a dynamic day of learning, discussion and networking.

• Watch for great sessions on healthy co op communities and healthy co op businesses.
• Join together for an engaging town hall discussion about Our Movement. Our Future. Voicing our vision.
• Sign up for a new pre-event webinar to learn more about Human rights and Duty to Accommodate.
• Benefit from great discounts and give-aways for young members and first timers.

Register online now before the April 14 early bird discount deadline.

For more information Karen Brodeur kbrodeur@chfcanada.coop or Cathy Volans cvolans@chfcanada.coop at the CHF Canada Nova Scotia Office.

Spread the word!   Forward eNEWS to another co-op member

You are receiving this eNEWS from CHF Canada because you are subscribed or are registered as a member of our Members’ Network. If you do not want to receive future issues of eNEWS, please click here to unsubscribe.

To submit news ideas and photos or for further information, please contact eNEWS editor, Scott Jackson.