Skip links

About Co-ops

What is a Co-op?

A Housing Co-operative is a group of people who form a corporation to provide housing services for themselves.

Co-op living is unique to all other forms of housing because it represents a community living within a community.

Democratic management is the lifeblood of a healthy co-op and the people who live in the Co-op, and who collectively own and operate the housing, are voting members. The members elect a Board of Directors from among themselves and authorize the Board to conduct the day to day business of the Co-operative in a manner that satisfies all of the requirements of the Co-operative Association Act and Regulations of BC and other governing documents of the Co-op.

All members in a cooperative share in the advantages and responsibilities of co-op life, which makes it more than just a place to live. “Participation and Volunteerism” is a vital component and contributes to the advantages of living in a co-op.

There are many kinds of co-operatives: food co-ops, co-op daycares, credit unions, retail co-ops, worker co-ops and housing co-ops. Any group of people can form a co-operative. The members own the co-operative and the co-operative provides a service they need. Housing co-operatives provide housing.

As a co-op member, you have security of tenure. This means that you can live in your home for as long as you wish if you follow the rules of the co-op and pay your pad assessment. As a co-op member, you have a say in decisions that affect your home. You and your neighbours own your homes co-operatively. Members form a community that works together to manage the co-op. Co-op communities are made up of all kinds of people – people with different backgrounds and incomes and special needs. These diverse and vibrant communities are the unique strength of the co-op housing movement.

Member’s Rights

Members of a housing co-op have a right to:

Right #1

Vote on the annual budget, which sets the monthly housing charges

Right #2

Elect a board of directors made up of people who live in your co‑op

Right #3

Run for the board of directors yourself

Right #4

Receive audited financial statements that show how the co‑op spent your money

Right #5

Pay a Pad Assessment

Right #6

Live there for as long as you like, if you keep to the Rules, Occupancy Agreement and Policies agreed on by the co‑op membership

Video Info

Co-op Structure

Our Federation

The Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) is a co-operative association whose members are housing co-ops and related organizations in British Columbia.

Members provide direction through their delegates at Federation meetings, through the Board of Directors elected at the annual general meeting, and by serving on CHF BC committees. This member direction helps CHF BC focus on meeting the needs of housing co-ops.

To learn more about CHF-BC, click here.

you-hold-the-key