CHF BC is pleased to introduce Encasa Financial Inc., a registered investment fund manager created specifically to manage the investment of capital reserves and other long-term funds for co-operative and non-profit housing providers. The Federation is now a co-owner of Encasa in partnership with CHF Canada, the BC Non-Profit Housing Association and Housing Services Corporation (HSC) of Ontario.

Encasa got its start in Ontario more than a decade ago as SHSC Financial Inc. and now manages investments of more than $474 million for 850 co-op and non-profit housing providers. All of Encasa’s investment funds feature low management fees and an ethical screen to promote socially responsible investments.

Thom Armstrong, CHF BC’s executive director says, “For years we have been concerned about the lack of long-term investment options for housing co-ops.  It has been a critical gap in our services to members. Having an investment fund manager owned by community housing sector organizations gives housing co-ops in BC access to new investment opportunities that up to now have been beyond our reach.  To be able to create this opportunity in partnership with other housing organizations in BC and Canada just makes it that much better.

”We look forward to letting co-ops know more about Encasa and what it can offer our members in the near future.

Get more information on the Encasa website and check back here for more news in 2015.Photo: Thom Armstrong, CHF BC’s executive director (right) introduces Derek Ballantyne, CEO of Encasa Financial Inc. at CHF BC’s AGM on November 29, 2014.