How Do Co-ops Work?

A housing Cooperative 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 Coop, 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 Cooperative in a manner that satisfies all of the requirements of its Charter, Bylaws, Agreements, and Policies.

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.

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 housing charge (rent). 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.

Co-op Videos

Co-op Structure

Members 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 only a limited portion of your income for your housing, if you meet eligibility rules

Right #6

Live there for as long as you like, if you keep to the by-laws agreed on by the co‑op membership

Our Federation

PHCHF-Logo

Peel / Halton Co-operative Housing Federation (PHCHF) is a co-operative association made up of member housing co-ops and related organizations in the Peel / Halton area.

Members send delegates to federation meetings to represent their co-op, elect (or run for) the board of directors at the annual general meeting.

You can represent the interests of your members by adding your co-op’s voice to the co-operative housing movement. Our strength and longevity has endured because co-ops have joined together to create a strong federation, and we invite you to join us.

PHCHF is financed by annual membership dues, fees for services and revenue shared by CHF Canada.

To learn more about PHCHF, click here.