In early 2026 Sawmill Housing Co-operative voted in its first elected Board of Directors, including Board President, Ayman Ibrahim. But how did they get there?
Throughout 2025 the Community Land Trust welcomed over 100 new co-op households to Sawmill Housing Co-op in the River District. While most of these new co-op members moved in as strangers, they would soon be charged with building a community.
A hallmark of housing co-operatives is self-governance. Members elect a board and make key decisions together. But how does that process work when dozens of new residents are moving in every month?
We refer to this as the incubation phase. When a new co-op is formed, the Executive Leadership Team of Co-op Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) and the Community Land Trust (CLT) serve as the founding Board of Directors while the co-op membership is formed and transitions to self-governance.
During this time the CHF BC Co-op Services team hosted several educational sessions for new members, highlighting the roles and responsibilities that come with co-op living.
“CLT and CHF BC were incredibly helpful throughout the process,” says Ayman. “They supported residents by explaining how governance works, helping organize the election, and making sure everything was clear and inclusive. Their guidance made a big difference and helped build confidence as we moved into this new stage.”
These sessions also provided an opportunity for the new neighbours to get to know each other better, as they took the first steps to form a new co-op community.
“This is my first experience living in a co-op, and it’s very different from a traditional rental,” explains Ayman. “Here, residents are members, not just tenants. There’s more care, more accountability, and a real sense that we’re all working together to create a stable, supportive place to call home.”
By February the stage was set, and Sawmill Housing Co-op was ready for its first election. Empowered by the education sessions, multiple members stepped up to campaign for a spot on the seven-person board.
“I decided to run for the board because I care about the future of our community and wanted residents to have a real voice as Sawmill moved into member-led governance,” says Ayman. “Being part of the first resident board felt like a chance to help shape how we work together and set a strong, thoughtful foundation for the co-op.”
This first election was a vital step in self-governance for Sawmill Housing Co-op. CLT continues to provide management services and is responsible for ensuring the building is maintained for the long-term and that budgeting decisions meet the requirements of various funding partners while keeping the co-op in a healthy financial position. The new board is responsible for final approval of things like housing charges and applications, as well as building a thriving community where all members can be involved in the choices that impact their lives.
“Co-ops are strongest when the people who live there are involved,” says Ayman. “Governance isn’t just about meetings and decisions—it’s about shared responsibility and looking out for one another. When residents participate, it builds trust, strengthens the community, and makes sure the co-op reflects the values and needs of its members.”
The CHF BC Member Services team will continue to onboard new Community Land Trust developments like McHardy Street Housing Co-op, but they also offer similar services to existing co-ops in need of a refresh. Get in touch for more information.