Stories & News
Find the latest co-op housing stories, updates, and news articles here.
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February 12, 2024
Media
Video: B.C. Premier on the importance of co-operative housing
During his announcement of the acquisition of 2 Coquitlam housing co-operatives, B.C. Premier Eby discussed the important role that co-operative housing plays in meeting the challenges of the housing crisis.
During his remarks, he noted that co-ops are a model of housing that works. It's stable housing, it's affordable housing, and it's also built-in community.
February 9, 2024
Media
Good News! Media Coverage of the Coquitlam Co-op Acquisition
On February 8, 2024, B.C. Premier David Eby announced the historic acquisition of two Coquitlam housing co-operatives by the Community Land Trust. It was the first investment of the recently created Rental Protection Fund (RPF).
Check out the video of the announcement, as well as links to some media coverage.
November 29, 2023
Media
New federal co-op investments welcome, but timeline is disappointing
In a CBC News story by Jon Hernandez, Thom Armstrong, the CEO of CHF BC called the measures "well-intended," but he raised alarm over the lack of a timeline, with dollars only starting to roll out in 2025.
He notes that "We're in a housing crisis and is baffled as to why an economic recovery would have to wait until 2025-2026 to address what's a burning crisis right now."
October 5, 2023
Media
In the News: The Secret to Real Affordability? Trust in Land
A complex experiment is saving co-ops and developing homes to be affordable. Permanently.
A project of CHF BC has a twofold mission: to rescue old co-ops and to reboot the development of affordable housing, long neglected by the federal government.
August 2, 2023
Media
Podcast: The Financialization of a Housing Crisis
The days of the “mom-and-pop” landlord are largely behind us. Now, housing units are being snapped up or developed by large corporate entities and private-equity firms. It can be hard to figure out who actually owns a building. Homes being treated like major sources of capital, instead of places for people to live.
Erika Sagert, policy manager for the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, has been trying to identify just how many people are affected by this financialization of housing.
February 10, 2023
Media
Podcast: Saving a Housing Co-op
More than 30,000 people live in co-op housing in BC. Together, co-op members are creating homes and communities. Like other housing groups, co-op members face challenges, aging buildings and higher construction costs.
BC Housing talks with Thom Armstrong, CEO, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC and Tiffany Duzita, Executive Director, Community Land Trust. They discuss how partnerships, committed co-op members, and access to financing from partners like BC Housing and Vancity help co-ops thrive.
November 24, 2022
Media
Construction underway on new co-op homes in Surrey
Sunshine Housing Co-operative, the Community Land Trust, (CLT), BC Housing, and the City of Surrey have partnered to build a new 69-home affordable co-operative housing development in Surrey.
June 27, 2022
Media
Housing, homelessness, and poverty are key issues heading into B.C. municipal elections
A new Research Co. survey finds 39% of BC'ers rank housing, homelessness, and poverty as their number one concern, over double the next leading issue.
March 9, 2022
Media
Housing Co-ops Featured in CBC Article on Cost of Living
Members of an East Vancouver and a Burnaby co-op were featured in a CBC News story on March 7, 2022. The article profiles members of each co-op—including CHF BC director John Bathurst—and includes commentary from CHF BC CEO Thom Armstrong.
October 14, 2020
Media
News Release: Voters and Candidates Urged to Make Housing Central
For Immediate Release: Voters and Candidates Urged to Make Housing Central in Provincial Election Campaign Co-op and non-profit housing sectors outline key asks to address worsening crisis in British Columbia … Continued
October 26, 2018
Media
CLT & City of Vancouver break ground on Fraserview Expansion
The Community Land Trust and City of Vancouver broke ground on 140 new units of affordable co-op housing. More than 100 of the 140 homes are designed for families. These include 65 two-bedroom apartments and townhomes and 37 three-bedroom apartments and townhomes.
The combined future developments in Fraser Lands River District will be western Canada’s largest housing co-operative with 418 homes