Frequently Asked Questions
Does CHF BC provide emergency housing?
No. CHF BC's mandate is to provide services to its member co-ops. People looking for emergency housing can call the following organizations:
BC Housing tel: 604.433.1711
or 1-866-433-1711
Affordable Housing tel:
604.433-2218 or 1-866-465-6873
Does CHF BC accept or screen applicants for housing co-ops?
No. Admission is determined by each co-op independently of CHF BC. CHF BC does not play a role in the membership process of co-ops. CHF BC provides a list of co-ops accepting applications as a public information service.
Does CHF BC give out a complete list of BC co-ops or co-op phone numbers?
CHF BC is a membership organization and acts on the members' decisions. We provide only the address and sometimes the phone number of co-ops who are currently accepting membership applications. This list is produced
in the directory of housing co-ops on this website.
What is co-op housing?
Click here for an explanation.
Are co-ops low income housing?
No, co-ops are mixed income communities for people of all income levels. Generally, co-ops house people of low and moderate incomes.
What is subsidy?
Non-profit housing co-ops receive money from the government (federal and/or provincial) to help the co-op subsidize a certain number of housing units. The housing charge for these units is adjusted to the income of the household. This is often referred to as "rent geared to income" or "RGI". If a household qualifies for a subsidy, their housing charge is usually set at 25–30% of the household's income plus charges for utilities.
How does a housing co-op work?
Click here for an explanation.
Who lives in co-ops?
Non-profit housing co-ops are mixed communities. Members of housing co-ops come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of incomes. Some members pay the full housing charge. This is often called a "market" housing charge. Other members with lower incomes pay less. This is called a subsidized housing charge. Some units in every non-profit co-op are subsidized.
How do I apply for co-op housing?
Click here for instructions on how to apply.
How long will I have to wait to get into a co-op?
After applying, it takes three months to three years to get into most co-ops. Some co-ops are not accepting applications. On average, those applying for subsidy have a longer wait than those paying the market housing charge.
I understand there are different types of non-profit housing co-ops depending on which government program create them. What are the different programs and how do they differ?
Click here for an explanation.
How do I start my own housing co-op?
Contact one of the resource groups in BC:
What does it mean when a co-op listing reads "participation required"?
"Participation required" means that when you become a member of the co-op you will be expected to get involved in running the co-op. This could mean joining a committee such as the finance or membership committee, getting involved in the upkeep of the building, or offering your time to organize co-op events or activities.
What is a share purchase?
A share purchase is the share you buy to become a member of a co-op. Usually, one member per unit in a co-op buys a share in the co-op as they are accepted for membership. Each share gives a member a vote in general meetings. Shares range from $1,000 to $7,000 (a typical share purchase is around $2,000).
A share is a little bit like a damage deposit in that you get the money back when you leave the co-op (unless the unit has been damaged in which case the share is used to cover repair costs). However, co-ops do not return share purchases with interest. Please note that in most co-ops, 2 months notice is required prior to moving out. Shares also stand as the co-op's working capital.
CHF BC administers two programs to help
people in special need to afford the initial
share purchase once they've been accepted to
join a housing co-op: the Disability
Trust and the Domestic
Violence Relief Fund.
What is a monthly housing charge?
A monthly housing charge is like rent. It’s what the members pay each month to live in the co-op. Click here for an explanation of subsidy.
Is there a maximum income ceiling to qualify for a co-op?
If you go to our Co-op Programs info page, you will see that non-profit housing co-ops are funded by different government programs, depending on when they were first developed. The co-ops that have income ceilings are funded under one of the following programs:
- Section 61
- Homes BC
- Six BC co-ops funded under the Federation Co-operative Housing Program (ILM) have income ceilings. These co-ops were developed in the last year of the ILM program, around '92-'93
The dollar amount of the income ceiling varies. Other co-ops, as far as we know, do not have income ceilings.
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Are co-ops owned by the government?
No. Co-ops are owned by their shareholders, who are the members of the co-op.
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