FAQ
Do you have general questions about CHF BC or co-op housing? We’ve compiled answers to some of the questions we hear most often.
About CHF BC
The Co-operative Housing Federation of British Columbia is a membership organization for housing co-operatives and related organizations.
We are the go-to hub for all things related to co-op living. We unite, represent and serve housing co-ops and their members. We do this by providing advice and consultation services, educational resources, and holding events for members. We also work with trusted local companies to secure exclusive member discounts. Finally, we advocate for affordable co-op housing – supporting both current members and making housing co-ops more accessible for everyone.
Membership in CHF BC is open and voluntary. Members support their federation through annual membership dues and fees for a wide range of programs and services. We are proudly independent — none of our annual revenue comes from government.
The CHF BC Group of Social Enterprises includes our partner organizations, Community Land Trust and COHO Management Services Society. All three organizations share top-level leadership and report to the CHF BC Board of Directors.
Community Land Trust is a social purpose real estate developer that helps to create permanently affordable housing solutions for people, with a focus on co-operative housing.
COHO Management Services Society is a non-profit property management company with over 40 years of experience working with housing co-operatives.
Housing Central is a strategic alliance between CHF BC, BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA), and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA).
Together, we support and advocate for the community housing sector so that all British Columbians have a safe, secure home they can afford. BCNPHA and CHF BC are co-located in our Vancouver office, sharing resources and knowledge to better serve each of our organization’s members and the sector.
No. CHF BC does not play a role in the application or member selection process of housing co-ops. Admission to a housing co-op is determined by each co-op. CHF BC does provide an online directory of co-ops as a public information service.
No. CHF BC’s mandate is to provide services to its member co-ops. People looking for emergency housing can contact the following organizations:
- BC Housing (604-433-2218 or 1-800-257-7756)
- Affordable Housing Societies
No. CHF BC is a membership organization and acts on its members’ decisions. We provide only the address and sometimes the phone number of member co-ops listed in our co-op directory.
The Group Buying program leverages the collective purchasing power of housing co-ops to negotiate preferred pricing, discounts, and value-added services from trusted companies partners.
By pooling the purchasing power of over 260 housing co-ops, the program can negotiate better pricing, service levels, and terms than individual co-ops can obtain on their own.
Participants enjoy cost savings, preferred pricing, vetted suppliers, and exclusive discounts and services. By leveraging the collective purchasing power of housing co-ops across the province, CHF BC negotiates competitive pricing and manages the tendering process, helping co-ops best practice the three-quote requirement.
Member housing co-ops can participate in programs such as banking, waste and recycling, and, in some cases, their resident members can participate in programs such as telecom, and maintenance and hardware supplies.
Participants can usually enroll by contacting us by phone at 604-879-5111 or 1-866-879-5111 or by email at [email protected]. Some programs require completing an application or registration form.
Program participation provides cost and time savings for member co-ops. Many participating companies also sponsor member events or scholarships. We have also negotiated with participating companies to receive financial compensation that helps fund CHF BC services that strengthen the co-operative housing movement.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive our bi-weekly newsletter as well as invitations to member events. You don’t need to live in a member co-op to sign up, but please let us know if you are so we can tailor your emails accordingly.
You can also follow us on social media: BlueSky, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
You can apply directly through our CHF BC careers page by submitting your resume and any required supporting documents listed in the job posting.
- Our HR team reviews all applications and shortlists candidates based on the role requirements.
- Candidates whose qualifications and experience align with the position will be contacted to move forward in the recruitment process.
- Our process typically includes the following. Not all roles will include every step.
- Resume screening
- Initial phone screening
- Candidate testing – depends on role
- 1-2 Interview(s) with the hiring team
- Reference checks
- Offer stage
- Timelines vary depending on the role and number of applicants. We strive to move efficiently while ensuring a thoughtful and fair process.
- Due to the volume of applications, we are only able to contact candidates who move forward in the process. Candidates who participate in screening or interview steps will be notified of the outcome of their application.
- Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and strongly encourage you to apply.
If you face any barriers to participating in our application process, reach out to [email protected] confidentially. Contacting us will not impact the evaluation of your application.
If any formal education was completed outside Canada, indicate it on your resume. If it has been evaluated for equivalency, indicate by whom it was assessed.
About Co-op Housing
In BC, a housing co-op is an organization incorporated under the Cooperative Association Act that provides housing to its members. Members purchase shares to join the co-op and elect directors to govern the co-op. Most housing co-ops in BC are non-profit co-ops, although there are also a few equity housing co-ops here too. Co-op members do not have a landlord, and monthly payments for housing are called “housing charges”. Co-ops are inspired and guided by the seven international co-op principles in everything they do.
We’ve created a video to help explain the specifics. Looking to learn more? Try the Co-ops Essentials course at the Centre for Co-operative Learning.
Members of non-profit housing co-ops come from a variety of backgrounds and have a range of incomes. Most co-ops are “mixed-income communities.” Some members pay a full monthly housing charge set to cover the co-op’s operating costs. Other members, with low incomes, may pay less, based on a model of providing rent geared to income (RGI). Sometimes co-ops fund this themselves, but, more often, they enter into agreements with government for rent supplements to support low-income members.
No. Non-profit housing co-ops are mixed-income communities with homes for people with a range of income levels. Generally, co-ops house people with moderate and low incomes.
A monthly housing charge is like rent. It’s what the members pay each month to live in the co-op. Housing charges are usually set to the amount the co-op needs to break even, after paying all its operating expenses and setting money aside for long-term capital repairs. In most co-ops, members approve changes to the housing charges by passing an ordinary resolution at a general meeting. Although co-ops with government funding programs are or were often able to provide adjusted housing charges or subsidies for lower income members, those programs have time limits and aren’t automatically available.
These are both terms to describe financial support targeted for low-income households to enhance affordability. Generally speaking, housing is considered affordable when residents don’t have to pay more than 30% of their gross income for it. For some households, even breakeven housing charges would be a burden. Many non-profit housing co-ops enter into funding agreements (long-term contracts) with federal or provincial housing authorities that bridge the gap between the standard monthly housing charges and the 30% of income low-income members can afford.
It’s important to remember that not all co-ops have external funding, and even those that do face limits. Housing charges for subsidized/supported units are adjusted to fit with household income (“rent-geared-to-income” or “RGI”). Usually the 30% figure, mentioned earlier is used, but the figure can vary. When co-op agreements with government end, subsidies can end or become more restricted. The community housing sector (including CHF BC and CHF Canada) are lobbying for rent subsidies and rent supplements to continue. Visit youholdthekey.ca for more information.
Housing co-ops are independent organizations and each one has its own application process. CHF BC does not accept applications for housing co-ops. You can find listings for all co-ops through our Find A Co-op directory. You can filter for co-ops with open waiting lists and preferences like allowing pets and number of bedrooms, then read each co-op’s instructions on how to apply. Application processes vary. Some co-ops may ask you to come to an orientation meeting to get an application. You may also want to consider applying to a new Community Land Trust (CLT) co-op and you can learn about which of those co-ops are accepting applications through cltrust.ca.
BC Housing also offers a portal to help look for subsidized and market homes. It includes listings for some housing co-ops as well.
To become a member of a co-op, you must purchase a share. Shares also provide the co-op with working capital.
Each share gives a member a vote in general meetings. Shares usually range from $1,000 to $7,000 (a typical share purchase is around $2,000, but co-ops established without any government financial or lending support generally have much higher share purchase costs). Many co-ops permit jointly held shares (held between two or three members in a household); others prefer a one-member-per-household model.
Generally, when you leave the co-op and withdraw your membership you will get the amount that you paid for shares back. If the unit has been damaged, or you owe money to the co-op, the co-op can use the shares to cover repair costs or settle the debt. Non-profit housing co-ops do not return share purchases with interest.
CHF BC and its affiliates administer two programs to help people in special need with no-interest loans 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.
There are also several programs in your community (pdf) that can help new co-op members fund their share purchases.
Most non-profit housing co-ops are (or were) funded by government programs or use land leased from municipalities that come with some additional rules. Some of these agreements set income ceilings for members on move-in. The dollar amount of the income ceiling varies.
Housing co-operatives provide stable housing to its members and often, member turnover is low. Most co-ops maintain waitlists. These waitlists for existing co-ops are often long, the wait to meet with a co-op for an interview after submitting an application could range from three months to three years or longer. Some co-ops are not even accepting applications for their waiting lists. Those hoping to pay less than full housing charges (and qualify for a subsidy) will usually have a longer wait than those able to pay the full charges.
Community Land Trust is helping build new co-ops and often has spots for new members. You can learn about which of those co-ops are accepting applications through cltrust.ca.
It depends! Some co-ops impose a required number of volunteer hours, while others simply encourage your involvement – it is a core part of co-operatives after all! Roles vary between co-ops and can include board participation, maintenance, gardening, planning social events, or other tasks.
Many co-ops also hire management companies like COHO to help with some of the more complex tasks. CLT co-ops are managed by the CLT, with members focusing on governance and social activities. Thom Armstrong explains more here.
In most co-ops, you will need to give two months’ notice prior to moving out and surrendering your shares.
At the time of move-out, you and the co-op will review and take note of the condition of your co-op home and assess any damage. If there is none, you will be eligible for the full return of the share purchase cost (with no interest in a non-profit housing co-op). If there is damage, you may see a reduction of your share purchase return.
Many older housing co-ops have been established for decades, and current residents enjoy long-term affordability thanks to robust government funding programs that helped them develop co-ops in the 70’s and 80’s, combined with smart financial planning. Many of these homes started slightly below market rents, with affordability growing over time.
Newer housing co-ops did not have access to the same level of government funding and haven’t had decades to build up long-term affordability. In addition, many of these co-ops operate with funding models tied to BC Housing Income Limits or other parameters.
