About Co-ops

Exterior of Fairlea Park housing co-operative

A housing co-operative is a democratically controlled association formed to provide housing for its members. The typical Canadian housing co-operative owns houses or apartments and rents them to members for an indefinite period of time on a non-profit basis. When a member moves out, their membership lapses.

Co-ops are different from other forms of non-profit housing. They are governed by a board of directors elected by the members, who are also the residents. Members approve budgets, appoint the auditor and set many of the co-op’s policies.

You can find more information about Canadian housing co‑operatives on the website of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada) and housing co‑operatives around the world on the website of Co-operative Housing International.

Tip of the Month

No Vacancy Loss

28% of Agency clients lost no money to vacancies last year. Good, if this means members chose to stay in their units. Bad, if new members moved into units that hadn’t been refreshed.