|
 |
 (Includes seniors' housing)
Most of Canada's housing co-ops are based on a social model of housing that offers affordability, security of tenure, and an important sense of community for members - whether it's for a group of seniors, students or families. With this model, the co-op owns the property and the members pay a monthly housing fee that covers mortgage payments and operating costs. Members do not own the individual units they occupy, but as owners of the co-op they contribute to the upkeep and governance of the housing enterprise. This contribution by members not only keeps the cost of housing down, but it empowers members to make significant decisions and oversee important housing assets. In this way, a lot of ordinary people gain skills and capacity that they wouldn't normally have a chance to develop. More than 250,000 people live in 2,000 social housing co-ops, each of them a unique community that is owned and controlled by its member residents.
There is also an 'equity' model of co-op housing, where members own their housing unit and have the right to sell it, with some restrictions. Members in these co-ops share the cost of common services, including financing and development costs, which makes the housing more affordable for all members. This model is still fairly new, but it is gaining in popularity as people find ways around the rising cost of home ownership.
As Canada confronts a number of issues related to housing - such as affordability and care for seniors - we are fortunate to have a successful housing co-op sector in this country, since it provides excellent working models for how we can solve many of these problems.
The online tools and guides that appear on this page are the best of what is known to exist at this time. New materials will be added as they become available or as further research is completed in this area. NOTE: If you are aware of other tools or guides that should be added here, please let us know by sending an 
How-to guides
 Guide to Co-operative Housing
This 2005 guide from Canada Mortgage and Housing provides a comprehensive overview of housing co-ops, with a look at how they work and how they are set up.
Keys to Successful Co-operative Housing
This US document offers a useful guide as it highlights all the key elements of success for housing co-ops, from the development stage through to start-up and ongoing maintenance. Aside from a few references to US- specific support services, it is relevant to rural and urban communities of Canada.
Understanding Equity Housing Co-operatives
This Canada Mortgage and Housing site offers a great overview of the equity model of co-op housing, which is still fairly new in Canada - it is currently most popular in Alberta and British Columbia. See the menu options under the page title for a comprehensive look at how this model works.
Case Studies / Examples
Student Housing Co-op Success Stories
These two stories from US university campuses demonstrate the social and economic benefits of co-operative housing for students - including affordability, and the opportunity to learn essential life skills by being part of a co-operative community.
Co-op Conversions - Success Stories
Without funding programs to support development, the creation of new housing co-ops has been rare since 1995. However, here are two stories from Toronto - one about the conversion of a public housing project to a co-op, the other about the conversion of elevator shafts to new housing units within an existing co-op.
Moral Imperative Equity Housing Co-operative
This profile of an Edmonton housing co-op shows an example of the equity model of co-op housing. It describes the financing and development arrangements to create affordable housing for a group of young single members who all earned under $25,000 per year.
Housing Co-ops and Climate Change - Case Studies from Europe
This site offers detailed case studies of European housing co-ops that have taken bold measures to reduce energy consumption and employ renewable energy sources in their buildings. (For the detailed documents, click the View button on the far right of the summary table.)
Best Practices in Seniors Co-op Housing - Aging in Place
This CHF Canada case study looks at how several downtown Toronto housing co-ops found a way to meet the healthcare needs of their senior members. By working together with a health agency in the same neighborhood, they now provide various levels of onsite care, which is essential to helping seniors 'age in place'. By ensuring that help is available if and when they need it, the co-ops have alleviated a lot of stress for seniors and their families.
St. Camille Co-operative - home care, seniors housing and rural development
This rural Quebec community created a small network of co-operatives to address both the needs of their seniors and the future of their community. Their story is inspirational and it is a great example of the commitment and forward thinking required to sustain and revitalize Canada's rural communities.
Ambleview Place Housing Co-op - Equity Model for Seniors
This BC example shows how the equity model of co-op housing helped create an affordable housing solution for 42 seniors in West Vancouver. It is one example of a private-public partnership, since it involved the financial equity of members combined with favorable land-lease arrangements from the municipality.
Reports and Other Resources
Co-op Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada)
This national federation is the main advocate and support agency for housing co-operatives in Canada. Member co-ops have access to a wide range of training and support services, including a network of provincial and regional federations and resource groups that support co-ops at the local level.
Ontario Student Co-op Association
This association of 5 Ontario student housing co-operatives is an example of co-operation among co-operatives. By working together, the member co-operatives create additional services and supports that would not otherwise be available to them. The North American Students of Co-operation operates on a larger scale.
Addressing Seniors' Housing and Health Care Needs - The Co-operative Way
This Power Point presentation was created by CCA in 2009. It outlines the variety of models currently being used to meet the housing and care needs of Canadian seniors.
Co-operative Housing in Canada: A Model for Empowered Communities
This UNESCO report takes a close look at the significance of housing co-operatives in Canada. After examining the profound impact of Canada's social model of co-op housing - on the individual members and their communities - the report authors present it as a model for social change in other nations.
Re-Inventing Co-ops
If you are interested in the future of housing co-ops in Canada, you may find this BC series of articles interesting. The articles explore various adaptations and partnership options to make the housing co-op model a continued solution for affordable housing, especially in markets such as Vancouver. |
|
|
|
