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Reporting and Supporting: The Rent Supplement Program
In 2017, the Agency took on the responsibility of managing Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s Rent Supplement Program. A few months later, we launched our brand new On-line Rent Supplement Claims System (RS System), ending the use of outdated paper forms. Almost two years in, we are
A New Era for the Agency’s Board
For the first time, starting in June 2019, the Agency’s Board of Directors will include two directors already serving on the Board of CHF Canada.
Tom Clement is the long-time executive director of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto. Tom is well known to Ontario co-op members and
The Relationship Manager as a Young Mentee
Excellent client service is partly based on staff having the right attitude, but, in itself, a be-of-service orientation is not enough. The Agency strongly encourages relationship managers and other staff to take up special opportunities for professional development and education that will enhance
Arrears and Bad Debts: Continued Improvement
Your co-op is in the housing business, not the lending business. If a household doesn’t pay what it owes and moves out, you’re left with a bad debt, which will have to be covered by your other members. It is important for your co-op to keep arrears to a minimum and even better, to keep them at zero!
Say “No” to Directors in Arrears and Put it in Writing
Everyone agrees that housing co-ops need to eliminate member arrears—or at least keep them to a bare minimum. Uncontrolled arrears are the mark of a co-op sliding into financial difficulty, putting at risk its ability to cover day-to-day operating expenses. Arrears also take money out of the members
Federal Program Housing Co-ops: Getting Better All the Time
There’s no doubt that, as a group, the Agency’s client housing co-operatives are continuing to produce better results. We compared their performance in 2018 with their operations in the Agency’s early years—now more than a decade ago—and we are impressed with our clients’ progress. It was also good
Co-op Data Report: Your Co-op and All the Others
In 2018, we asked our co-op clients to rank the Agency reports they receive each year from most to least useful. For co-op managers, the Co-op Data Report ranked at number 3. For board members, it came last—at number 5. So now we have another question… is your co-op getting all it can from this
Agency Response to COVID-19
The Agency is taking steps to keep our staff and clients safe and to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) throughout our communities. Agency employees have cancelled all non-essential travel (inter-city and beyond) until the end of March and we will begin working from home this week
Protecting Your Co-op during COVID-19
The Agency sent the notice below to all its clients on Thursday, March 26, 2020.
While this new reality lasts, your co-op will need to keep things moving as much as possible. The situation is evolving every day, but here is what we know now.
Keep your members safe
We encourage our co-op housing
Tip of the Month
Co-ops without Paid Managers
Since 2007, the percentage of co-ops without paid help is down by more than half to a mere 2% of Agency clients. Another 12% just have a lonely bookkeeper.