Housing co-operatives ready to partner with Build Canada Homes

Published November 04, 2025

Canada’s housing co-operatives welcomes the federal government’s continued focus on housing in Budget 2025. As Canadians continue to face an unprecedented affordability crisis, today’s commitments are a positive signal; building more homes that people can afford is an essential part of remedying the crisis.   

In particular, we are pleased to see the government recognize the value of growing non-market housing, including housing co-ops, through Build Canada Homes. With its robust pipeline of cross-country projects, the co-operative housing sector is ready and able to partner with Build Canada Homes to continue to build co-op housing at scale, as we have been doing through the Co-operative Housing Development Program and beyond. At the same time, the funding profile of Build Canada Homes indicates some of its funds may not go directly to the construction of non-market housing. 

“We welcome the federal government’s continued commitment to building the next generation of co-op homes,” commented Tim Ross, CEO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada. “In order to realize this vision in the timeline that the crisis requires, it will be essential to understand the investment framework of Build Canada Homes as soon as possible, as well as resource it accordingly. We look forward to working with the federal government to help realize the goals of Build Canada Homes.”  

We also recognize the $2.8 billion committed for urban, rural and northern housing for Indigenous communities contained in today’s budget. CHF Canada continues to stand with Indigenous housing providers and their vision for Indigenous-led co-op and non-profit housing. This investment must advance Reconciliation by working with an urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing delivery partner to ensure a for Indigenous, by Indigenous approach. 

The budget was silent on the Federal Community Housing Initiative (FCHI), which is slated to sunset in 2028. FCHI enables housing co-ops to operate as mixed-income communities by filling in the gap between break-even co-op housing charges (rents) and what low-income co-op households can afford. Compared to supporting those same households in the private rental market, or the cost of homelessness, FCHI represents significant cost savings to government. We will continue to work with the federal government to ensure the continuation of rental assistance and encourage its expansion to new co-ops developed through Build Canada Homes.  

Co-op housing is built to last. With strong public support, proven affordability, and new projects ready to go, the co-op housing sector stands ready to partner with government to deliver homes that both meet immediate needs and build lasting communities. 

For more information:
Nadine Lunt
Manager, Communications & Marketing
613-793-6338