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Who Does What?
Managing Your Business
Housing co-operatives are small businesses formed to provide housing for their members. They prosper best when they are fully occupied and members pay their housing charges in full and on time.
A housing co-op is not a complex business, but it takes work to keep it going. As the steward of your
Protecting the Environment
This world is the only one we have. Investing in sustainability will save your co-op money and protect future generations too.
Check out ideas from the Agency, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada and others that will help reduce your co-op’s
About Co-ops
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
The Movement Grows
Beginning in 1973, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) actively supported the development of housing co‑operatives under various programs. The federal programs are often identified by the section of the National Housing Act under which they were funded.
Co-operative Housing In Canada
University students were Canada’s pioneers in meeting their need for housing through the co-operative model. In 1936, Campus Co-operative Residence at the University of Toronto began to offer affordable housing for students, who were expected to move out after graduation.
Housing Partners
A co-op member speaks at CHF Canada's annual meeting (2018).
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is responsible for federal co-operative housing programs and policies. The CMHC website offers research and advice on housing for Canadians. The Agency is pleased to provide services to CMHC
Funding Programs
The original federal co-operative housing programs differ in detail, but all have a similar purpose:
- to provide modest, affordable housing that meets the needs of low- and moderate-income Canadians
- to encourage families and individuals of different incomes and backgrounds to come together in the same
Tip of the Month
Management Trend
The trend to hire management companies continues. 58% of co-ops hire management companies, compared to 28% that employ independent staff as their managers.