Since 1985 Amicae Housing Co-operative has been home to a total of 290 member households, many of whom gathered In July to celebrate the co-op’s 40th anniversary. 

Amicae is located in the heart of Vancouver, and the long-term affordability it offers members has allowed individuals and families to live, work, and thrive in a city and community they love. 

“Amicae is ‘a community with heart, in the heart of the city’,“explains Co-op Board President, Krista Lee Hanson. “Together we have celebrated births, deaths and weddings; we have helped each other with childcare, eldercare & errands. Our members work in so many of the jobs a city needs to function; including teachers, transit workers, chefs, telecoms workers, and hospitality workers.”

Amicae comes from the Latin for “friends”, an appropriate term for a group that over four decades has become not just a community, but a family. 

“Just like a real family we don’t always get along, but we do know we can always rely on each other,” continues Krista Lee. “It was wonderful to celebrate 40 years of this diverse community together and we look forward to celebrating many milestone years in the future.” 

“It’s inspiring to see communities like Amicae’s not just surviving but thriving in Vancouver,” says CHF BC Managing Director, Jarrett Hagglund. “CHF BC works closely with all of our member co-ops to help them build the knowledge and resilience they need to enjoy long tenures and thriving communities.” 

From everyone at CHF BC, congratulations Amicae on 40 years of community and cooperation!  

40 Years of Affordability and Community at Glance 

• 2,240 years of affordable housing over 40 years in 56 units 

• Amicae has welcomed 290 member families into our community over those 40 years (1985-2025). 

• The current 56 member families have lived in our community a total of 1,087 years. (Average 19.5 years) 

• 234 ex-member families lived in our community a total of 1,153 years. (Average 5± years)