CHF Canada Annual Report 2023

Building Communities Together

Dear co-operators,

As we continue to gain momentum towards Co-operative Housing for All, it’s clear that it is our members who are the backbone of our movement.

From the Atlantic to BC and all places in between, we are witnessing a renaissance in the co-operative housing movement. Members and federations are driving forward new developments, collaborations between co-ops, expansions and acquisitions. Many more plans and dreams are taking shape in co-op meeting rooms across the country.

Read the full letter from our President and Executive Director…

Advocacy

In 2023, CHF Canada continued to be a strong voice for co-op housing. We advocated nationally, provincially and municipally for public investment in co-op development and acquisition, robust and dedicated funding for Indigenous-led co-operative housing, and rental assistance.

Following the federal government’s announcement of the Co-operative Housing Development Program in Budget 2022, CHF Canada and sector partners put forward our best advice during the co-design process. We have been readying ourselves to support our members to engage with the program, at the same time as putting pressure on the government to launch it without delay, in line with the resolution adopted by members at last year’s Annual Meeting.

A co-op tour in Scarborough, led by the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto.

Co-op members attend a rally in Hamilton, Ontario

Other highlights of our ongoing advocacy work include:

CHF Canada team meets with Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Ongoing advocacy for the continuation of federal and provincial rental assistance programs to protect low-income co-op households, and launching new provincial advocacy campaigns (see In Your Region section).
Meetings with the federal Housing Minister and MPs across the country to build support for co-op housing and speaking on national platforms about the benefits of co-op housing.
We sent submissions and delivered presentations to the federal HUMA Committee that meets on housing issues, the federal Finance Committee, the Federal Housing Advocate and the National Housing Council.
Building and strengthening partnerships to advocate to all orders of government to invest in community housing, including co-ops. We collaborated with other housing organizations on research and advocacy, including during provincial elections (See In Your Region section).

Co-op Housing for All

Working in partnership with regional federations and the co‑op housing sector as a whole, we continued advancing the principles and goals of Co-op Housing for All.

This included delivering member education, developing resources, undertaking pilot projects, and continuing to foster a peer network, all with the goal of stabilizing and growing co-operative housing.

The Co-op Housing for All Peer Network is comprised of changemakers who have led innovative projects across the country – from new governance models to new housing developments. In 2023, members of the Peer Network shared their stories to inspire and support CHF Canada members to consider and lead their own projects through both in-person and virtual networking events. They also met with government officials and policy makers to encourage meaningful partnerships.

Membership and our sector is finally growing, with five new members as ‘co-ops in development’ with close to 100 new co-op homes.

Growth & Development

Co-ops and their partners continued to come together to expand co-op housing over the course of 2023:

Worked with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on the co-design of the $1.5 billion Co-operative Housing Development Program.

Developed and delivered education and resources, including a development self-assessment tool and how to start a housing co-op.
Worked with community land trusts, the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts, and the Cahdco Toolbox+ program.
Continued support for local projects such as the development of the Maitland co-op (Halifax) and expansion of Kingston Co-operative Homes, both scheduled to open in 2024.
Supported the acquisition of 180 homes with the Range Co-operative in New Brunswick, with plans to build additional accessible homes.
Explored ways to support for-Indigenous, by-Indigenous co-operative housing.
Offered fee-based governance support for new co-operatives aimed at growth and developments in Atlantic Canada, with plans to expand this service offering as development picks up across the country.

Member Services

Education and Resources

In 2023, CHF Canada advanced several education initiatives centred on Co-op Housing for All including development and growth, new models of unification, community-building, and equity, diversity, and inclusion with:

Over 50 workshops at our Annual Meeting in Ottawa,
A series of regional spring virtual workshops and in-person education events offering over 10 workshops,
A Sharing Circle series offering networking and information exchange with over 280 staff and managers participating,
Up to 10 hours of new online learning for co-op members, boards and staff.

Online learning

CHF Canada continues to develop online learning to provide high quality, on-demand education to co-op housing members, staff and managers. In 2023, we developed and launched:

A one-hour module You and your co-op: starting out as a co-op housing manager in Ontario, and began development of regional versions for BC, the Prairies and Atlantic Region.
A microlearning module entitled What is an asset management plan?, supporting understanding of the importance of asset management in long-term planning.

National Education Committee

The National Education Committee (NEC), consisting of representatives from co-operative housing federations across Canada, aims to collaborate to maximize resources and better serve members with a coherent approach to education services.

In 2023, the NEC made significant strides in its key areas of work including:

A central repository with over 400 workshop materials and resources shared by participating federations,
A co-branded online learning management system,
Defined goals and commitments related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in co-op housing sector education,
A new co-op housing educator training program with 26 educators recruited for training starting with three webinars delivered in 2023.

Education and training for managers and staff

Co-op housing managers and staff are critical to the success of housing co-ops. CHF Canada continues to explore new ways to provide information and support:

Co-op staff increasingly gather in CHF Canada’s Sharing Circles to discuss issues affecting their co-op communities,
New online learning for managers and staff (see online learning),
Manager and staff career development support, with management scholarships,
New partnership with the Institute of Housing Management to offer the first ever national Co-op Housing Management Accreditation with courses to be offered starting at the 2024 Annual Meeting in Winnipeg.

Asset Management, Insurance, Energy Efficiency, Climate resilience

Asset and Financial Planning Services

The Asset Management and Financial Services Program offered its first loan in 2013 and its first asset management plan in 2015. In the past eleven years, the team has secured over $250 million dollars in lending for 71 member co-operatives and completed 226 asset management plans. In 2023:

19 co-operatives received asset management plans.
9 co-ops commissioned various technical reports.
12 co-ops received project management monitoring.
7 loans worth $30 million for capital repair and replacement.

As co-ops in Ontario under the Housing Services Act (HSA) are ending their mortgages, preparations to support them were underway in 2023. Asset Management staff adapted their tools to account for the specialized structure of the HSA program and to allow for adjustments necessary to engage in upcoming negotiations with municipal service managers.

Insurance and Risk Management

Through our partnership with Co-operators, we continue to provide a variety of insurance options to our members. The largest program offered is commercial insurance which provides coverage to 85% of our members. Our members also continue to access our other lines of insurance including over:

620 individuals using Group Benefits,
2,700 members with cars insured through AutoGuard,
16,000 individuals with protecting personal contents MemberGuard, and
2,800 individuals covered under Housing Charge Life Insurance.

Our Risk Management Program continues grow as we revised and expanded the program, which includes a new educational course and video, materials and resources. We worked with 129 co-ops in 2023, offering education and training to better manage their risks. These members received a discount on their insurance for the coming year.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

CHF Canada continues to promote sustainability. In 2023, CHF Canada’s Greener Co-op Microgrant program awarded over $150,000 to 46 co-ops thanks to significant contributions from the Community Housing Transformation Centre and our other loyal funding partners. This allowed members to omplete sustainability-focused projects in their communities.

We continued to partner with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Community Housing Transformation Centre to provide services from our Regional Energy Coach. This program was initially launched as pilot but has now been extended for another three years. Our advisor was exceptionally busy this year by:

Delivering 10 workshops,
Reviewing 30 energy audit report reviews,
Assisting with 33 grant applications,
Engaging in 260 coaching interactions.

In your Region

CHF Canada works with regional federations and partners to provide education and advocacy services in specific regions across the country. For events and news in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, check out our listing of regional federations.

ONTARIO

For housing co-ops under the Housing Services Act, 2023 marked a dramatic change with the new Service Agreement and Exit Agreement framework. To enable the success of all co-ops in the new legislative environment, CHF Canada, alongside Ontario regional federations:

Developed a Guide to Service Agreement Negotiations,
Promoted CHF Canada’s Asset and Financial Planning Services to the province and service managers,
Secured over $600,00 from the Province of Ontario to help the first housing co-ops whose provincial agreements are ending to plan for a sustainable future as they reach the end of their mortgage through the development of robust asset management plans.

CHF Canada’s Senior Manager of Government Relations, Simone Swail, was appointed to the Ontario government’s Housing Supply Action Implementation Team, tasked with evaluating progress and providing advice on implementing Ontario’s Housing Supply Action Plans.

**New funding for Ontario co-ops**

In January 2024, the Ontario government announced new funding to help HSA co-ops plan for a sustainable future as they reach the end of their mortgage. Members of Troy Village Housing Co-op joined Ontario Associate Minister of Housing Rob Flack, Town of Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckuyt and CHF Canada board and staff representatives for the announcement.

Prairies

Two provincial elections were held in the prairies in 2023. In Alberta, along with regional federations NACHA and SACHA, we engaged co-op members in the election. In Manitoba, we partnered with the Manitoba Non-Profit Housing Association to host a virtual panel “Make housing matter in Manitoba's upcoming election”.

A joint consultation was held with the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association to make recommendations for changes to the Saskatchewan Co-operative Act.

In November, CHF Canada staff and Co-operative Housing Assocation of Saskatchewan Board Members hosted the Saskatchewan Minister of Social Services, Gene Makowsky, at Meadow Lark Housing Co-op in Regina, as well as met with the Official Opposition’s Housing Critic, MLA Meara Conway.

Growing municipal relationships in the prairies is a priority, such as through a joint SACHA and CHF Canada submission for the City of Calgary’s new Housing Strategy and initial meetings with City of Regina staff.

Atlantic

The education-focused Atlantic Summit, which was a first-time hybrid event, brought together co-op members and managers both virtually and in-person from all four Atlantic provinces.

In October, we launched the “Homes Within Reach” campaign, which enabled members in Nova Scotia to call on the provincial government to commit to longer-term rental assistance.

Embodying the principles of Co-op Housing for All, development continues at a rapid pace in the Atlantic. In rural and urban areas alike, new partnerships and models are resulting in signed agreements and new co-op homes, including:

Compass Nova Scotia’s redevelopments planned for the rural communities of Digby, NS and Shelburne, NS.
The construction of the Maitland site in central Halifax.
The new Tidal Bay Community Land Co-operative, in NS.
The Range, which is the latest unified co-operative, which will result in 184 homes in Saint John, NB.

The engagement of the New Brunswick and PEI governments over the course of 2023 helped push those governments to commit to new funding to establish new models to fuel more co-operative housing.

Membership Connections

In 2023, we engaged CHF Canada members in-person and online through our events, educational resources, programs, communications and advocacy campaigns.

Annual Meeting

More than 600 co-op members attended CHF Canada’s Annual Meeting in Ottawa and participated more than 40 workshops. Highlights included keynote addresses from Marie-Josée Houle, Canada’s first Federal Housing Advocate, and Gabrielle Fayant, co-founder of the Assembly of Seven Generations, an Indigenous youth-led organization.

Members voted on resolutions that directed CHF Canada’s advocacy on rental assistance programs and co-op housing development. Resolutions also focused on our sector’s work to recognize and support the valuable role of co-op property management staff, as well foster co-op action in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Co-op 2030 Vision.

Membership growth

In 2023, CHF Canada’s membership continued to grow. We welcomed 23 new housing co-op, associate, and individual members. We also celebrated members who marked 20, 30, or 40 years of CHF Canada membership. As we continue to support new co-op growth and development, we look forward to welcoming more members!

Supporting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Reconciliation

CHF Canada continues to foster learning opportunities and other initiatives supporting diverse and inclusive co-operative communities.

In 2023, we:

Clairvue Housing Co-op expands with eight new accessible units.

Provided a diversity and inclusion themed stream of workshops at the Annual Meeting in Ottawa, including ‘Connected community belonging’ and ‘History of co-operative practice; expanding the Eurocentric narrative’,
Collaborated with the Community Housing Transformation Centre, the Tamarack Institute and regional federations on a pilot project to strengthen co-op communities across the country, including through workshops and a poster resource,
Supported the Diversity Scholarships,
Recognized events such as National Seniors Day, Black History Month and Pride Month – sharing stories that support and demonstrate the diversity of our sector (see Sharing our Stories),
Promoted and supported the Aging in Place Exchange Network, which mobilized co-operators with lived experience and expertise in aging in place, featuring virtual discussion forums.

Reconciliation

CHF Canada continues to prioritize reconciliation with Indigenous people. In 2023, we:

Continued to promote the use of the Reconciliation Toolkit.
Featured reconciliation-themed workshops and an Annual Meeting keynote from Gabrielle Fayant, co-founder of the Assembly of Seven Generations, an Indigenous youth-led organization.
Recognized September 30 as the third National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Conducted facilitated group training for CHF Canada’s Board of Directors and staff.
Continued to strongly advocate for robust funding for an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy (see Advocacy).

TELLING OUR STORIES

Throughout 2023, co-op members shared their stories and illustrated why co-ops are incredible places to live. CHF Canada and regional federations continued to be strong advocates for housing co-ops and increased media attention on co-ops as a community-driven solution to the housing crisis.

Featured

Sunnyhill Housing Co-operative in Calgary was featured by CBC News in January: “With a waitlist extending over two years, Calgary's Sunnyhill Housing Co-operative exemplifies the growing demand for cooperative housing. As rental prices soar, the co-op's model of shared ownership and management provides a much-needed alternative, offering both affordable housing and a supportive community environment." (CBC News)

Co-op member Christine Mounsteven told the Toronto Star that moving to a co-op 30 years ago was the “best decision I ever made.” Older women in Canada are facing a heavy burden of poverty and co-op housing is a solution that offers affordability and community connection. (Toronto Star)

Four Sisters Co-op is an oasis of affordability in Vancouver’s downtown core. Member Brie Koniczek shared the story of what living in a housing co-op has meant for her and her family in a profile by Maclean’s Magazine. (Macleans)

A group of tenants in Hamilton took action when their building went up for sale, organizing to purchase their building and form a co-op. Their story is an example of why national funding is needed to protect existing affordable units and move them into community ownership. (CHCH-TV)

NACHA Executive Director Ayanna Innis explained how co-ops work and how co-ops create a sense of community in an interview on CBC. (CBC)

After the Federal government’s Fall Economic Statement generated buzz about co-op housing, CityNews Kitchener spoke to CHF Canada staff and Carine Nind from the Willowside Housing Co-operative in Kitchener. (CityNews Kitchener)

Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada presented the Large Co-operative Award of the Year to CHF Canada. Watch a video about the award.

Stories focused on co-op housing as a solution

Check out more of CHF Canada’s media coverage from 2023.

AWARDS & GRANTS

Diversity Scholarships

CHF Canada works with regional federations offering post-secondary scholarships to emerging leaders in housing co-ops.

In 2023, three co-op leaders in Atlantic Canada received scholarships for post-secondary education: Aimée Gouvernel, Blake Marchand and Riley Leblanc. Meet the recipients and learn how they are making strong contributions to their co-ops and communities.

Greener Co-op Microgrants

2023 projects included community gardens, energy-efficiency initiatives, bike storage, EV charging stations, and greening co-op grounds. These projects have helped co-ops reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable and resilient to climate change.

“Cool and cozy” project to keep heat out and reduce energy use

Community gardens - conversion from concrete area to garden

Thank you to partners and sponsors who help make the Greener Co-op Microgrant program possible! A special thank you to the Community Housing Transformation Centre for their generous matching of funding for the microgrant program.

Co-op Housing Champion Award

Congratulations to Xavier Hogan from Westglen Co-operative Homes in Brantford, Ontario. Xavier received the 2023 Co-op Housing Champion Award in recognition of his creative community-building efforts, his inspiring commitment to serving others, and his successes in making his co-op and neighbourhood a better place to live.

Watch the video or read a profile of Xavier to learn more about how Xavier is helping to build community connections through a co-op ice cream window, creative fundraising efforts, festive community events, and collaborations in the larger community.