Explore real stories that show how co-operative housing transforms neighbours into friends and strengthens bonds through the power of community in our first installment of CHF BC’s Living the Co‑operative Way series.

The United Nations declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives, recognizing the pivotal role that cooperatives play in building inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies. The theme—“Cooperatives Build a Better World”—highlights how member-owned organizations tackle social, economic and environmental challenges.

At CHF BC, we’re marking the occasion with the BC Co-operative Housing History Project. Through in-depth interviews with founders, leaders and members, we’re capturing the stories that shaped our movement and the values that continue to guide it.

One question we ask every interviewee is how co‑operative housing helps build a better world. 

Community & Social Bonds

A powerful theme in every interview to date is community. Overwhelmingly, people describe co‑op housing as far more than “just a roof.” It offers irreplaceable human connections.

Elain Duvall—former member of DeCosmos Village Housing Co-operative and long-time executive director of the Columbia Housing Advisory Association—puts it this way:

“In my mind. It’s not just housing for everyone. It’s more than that. It is the community that makes people’s lives better. I mean, you give [people] housing, but that’s only one element of their lives. And when I think about when I think about living in a co-op, it’s the other things; it’s about knowing your neighbours and planning this, and planning that, that are key to a good community.”

She also notes that:

“It even addresses social issues within our community. A co-op where you have different races and ethnic groups can be exciting, as opposed to being negative. I’ve seen many places where people gain a better understanding of other cultures and how people live, and become friends with them. So being part of a community that’s inclusive and respectful is really important.”

For Pat Bathurst of Misty Ridge Housing Co-operative on Burnaby Mountain, housing co-ops are more than just a place to live—they foster a sense of community that feels increasingly rare:

“We have million-dollar townhouses next door to us. They’re coming to us all the time because we’re maintaining our homes and common areas, and they’re learning from us. The families are over here for their kids to play, and some say, ‘Oh God, I wish I’d moved here!’”

Former Community Land Trust executive director Tiffany Duzita adds:

“It’s this whole other level of community to your home that is very unique to the co-op housing sector… It’s not something that somebody gets just living in a rental building or that somebody even has owning [a home].”

Graham McGarva of Alder Bay Housing Co-operative in False Creek South recalls that co‑op housing was initially just an affordable place to live; soon, he discovered it was “a supportive environment all around”:

“At first, you just got the family, got a job, and got a home. And then you realize what you’ve got yourself into, and you realize, ‘Oh! The rest of the world doesn’t live like this.’”

He continues:

“This co-op is not here to provide inexpensive housing and keep costs down in all circumstances. It is to nurture the community and, therefore, make very sure that the membership committee is bringing in families, and that we’ve got kids coming in here. And so on. And that seems to have worked out well, working for the health of the community.”

Merrilee Robson, a founding member of Trafalgar Housing Co-operative in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood, shared a story that highlights the lasting impact of co-ops:

“I remember when our co-op was fairly new. Kits was at that point starting to convert into more condos and rental housing. Somebody walked past my building and asked, ‘Is there a daycare in your building?’ Because there were all these kids playing in their yard. And I said, ‘No, that’s just the people that live there.’ But at the time, the neighbourhood was becoming unaffordable for young families. And so that was obviously a difference that it was making.

And it is still. The last time I went there was to talk about the history of the co-op. One of the young people ran after me when I was leaving and said, ‘Thank you for making this happen, because it’s a home.’ You can really see that something that happened more than 40 years ago is still making a difference in people’s lives. And so, I think the whole co-op movement has done that, and CHF BC has helped make that happen.”

These reflections make it clear: in housing co‑ops, community isn’t an abstract ideal—it’s an everyday reality.

Member Voices

We also received several email responses to the question, “How do housing co‑ops build a better world?” Here are a few highlights focusing on the power of community:

• Melanie M – “Co‑operative living fosters a sense of belonging and shared responsibility, empowering members to shape their living environment and build lasting relationships.”
• Amy – “Friendships formed are everlasting, whether it be as acquaintances or the best of friends.”
• Sharon Esson – “My co‑op allowed me and my kids to find a better life. And over 40 years, I have continuously been supported by my co‑op community. Wouldn’t trade it for any other form of housing.”
• Jim G – “Making friends in our own community.”
• Jacob S. (age 9)  –  “Lots of kids to play with and great places to play.”

Your Turn – Share Your Story

How has living in a housing co‑op enhanced your sense of community and social connection? We’d love to feature your experience in an upcoming post. Email your story to yartibise@chf.bc.ca and help us build a richer collective history.