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.
2024
- September 2024, High Hopes Housing Co-op votes in favour of deep retrofitting units. This includes a development of 9+ add-on units to existing properties and re-development of existing property, with a potential of 12+ new units.
- 2024, The Range Housing Co-operative broke ground to develop 4 new fully accessible co-op homes.
New homes at The Range Housing Co-operative.
- June 2024, Tidal Bay Community Land Co-July operative Limited obtained their first co-op homes (85 units in Pictou).
- Compass Nova Scotia’s redevelopment of Heritage Hall & Barton School began.
- Rainbow Grove Housing Co-op incorporated. Rainbow Grove is looking to build 75+ co-op housing units for 2SLGBTQ+ people.
- New Brunswick Collaborative Housing Co-operative was incorporated in New Brunswick.
- Killick Ecovillage Co-operative was incorporated in Newfoundland.September 2023, The Range Housing Co-operative Limited obtained their first co-op homes (180 units).
2023
- The Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association (NSNPHA) was founded after two years of extensive consultations. NSNPHA is dedicated to supporting, growing and mobilizing the non-profit housing sector.
- Freshwinds Eco-Village Housing Co-operative Ltd. was incorporated
- Valley Roots Housing Co-operative Ltd. was incorporated in Nova Scotia.
- Queens Neighbourhood Co-operative Housing Ltd. was incorporated in Nov
- in New Brunswick.
- a Scotia.
- Tidal Bay Community Land Co-operative Limited was incorporated in Nova Scotia.
- Second Atlantic Summit held in Dartmouth, NS and online (first fully Hybrid Event), bringing together members and stakeholders from across the region for education and networking.
2022
- April 2022, the seventh and eight housing co-operative Gimmie Shelter Housing Co-op (9 homes and a property)and New Armdale Westside Housing Co-operative (26 homes) joined Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes.
- June 2022, Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes broke ground in the North End of Halifax to develop 57 new co-operative homes.
- Mahone Bay Community Land Co-operative was incorporated in Nova Scotia.
- The Range Housing Co-operative Limited was incorporated in New Brunswick.
- Evangeline Courts Housing Co-operative receives microgrant for community garden.
- June 2020, the CHF Canada Annual General Meeting was held in Halifax, NS. Over 550 co-op members and supporters attended t where they learned, networked, and made important decisions to support of Canada’s co-op housing movement.
2020
- April 2020, the sixth housing co-operative Spanish Bay Housing Co-operative (19 homes) joined Compass Nova Scotia Co-operative Homes.
2021
- Unified Saint John Housing Co-operative completed their first construction project 12-unit building.
- Evangeline Courts Housing Co-operative creates a co-op Facebook group for communication between Members.
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 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 and 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 25th 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 was 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 and Labrador
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 because 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 Labrador 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 and Labrador 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
1985
- Confederation Housing Co-operative in Prince Edward Island is established.
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
- Lorentchia Housing Co-operative Limited, previously a residence for married St.FX University students, established.
- 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
- Brierly Housing Co-operative in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, is established.
- 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.