There are over 2,000 housing co-operatives in Canada, home to over 250,000 households.  Locally, there are 22 housing co-ops in Hamilton, with approximately 1,200 units. 

Housing co-ops come in many shapes and sizes, from small walk-up apartment buildings, to medium sized townhouse complexes, to large apartment towers with hundreds of units. The majority of housing co-operatives in Canada are non-profit, meaning that members cannot sell their shares and the housing is operated on a break-even basis.

In many ways, a housing co-op looks like any other private rental. However, there are some very important differences:

      • Democratic control: co-ops are governed by the people who live there, who are called members. Members make important decisions about what happens in the co-op. They elect a Board of Directors who oversee the governance of the co-op. Members approve the annual budget and audited statements, and make decisions about policies and rules in the co-op. They do this by exercising their votes at General Meetings. There is no landlord.
      • Affordability: Housing co-ops are mixed income communities that house people of various income levels. Some members receive rent-geared-to-income subsidy, which reduces their housing charge (the co-op term for rent) to an affordable level. The money for this subsidy is usually provided by the government. The co-op administers these funds and ensures they are spent fairly and within the government guidelines. The members who do not receive RGI subsidy pay the market housing charge, which is set by members. Because co-ops are non-profit, the market housing charge is set to a level to ensure that the co-op is able to manage its expenses.
      • Community: Housing co-ops strive to create strong communities where members participate actively in the running of the co-op. Members are encouraged to contribute some of their talent to the co-op to make it a healthy and safe place to live. This can be anything from maintaining common area gardens to organizing a pot-luck or decorating the lobby for Christmas. By contributing some of their skill and talent, members contribute to a sense of community and also occasionally save the co-op money. Some co-ops have committees which oversee a particular aspect of the co-op.
      • Security of tenure: members can live in housing co-ops for as long as they want, as long as they follow the rules of the co-op and pay their housing charge (rent) on time. There is no fixed lease. You stay for as long as you wish.

Membership Rights

In a housing co-op, members have a right to:

      1. Vote on the annual budget, which sets the monthly housing charges.
      2. Elect a board of directors made up of people who live in your co‑op.
      3. Run for the board of directors yourself.
      4. Receive audited financial statements that show how the co‑op spent your money.
      5. Pay only a limited portion of your income for your housing, if you meet eligibility rules.
      6. Live there for as long as you like, if you keep to the by-laws agreed on by the co‑op membership.

Local Federation: Golden Horseshoe Co-operative Housing Federation

Golden Horseshoe Co-operative Housing Federation (GHCHF) is a federation of non-profit housing co-operatives in Hamilton and Niagara regions. GHCHF member organizations include: housing co-ops, student housing co-ops, co-op staff associations, and resource groups (co-op housing developers / managers). As of 2024, GHCHF has 56 members: 49 housing co-operatives, 2 service managers, and 6 associate non-voting members. GHCHF provides consultation and educational services to member co-ops and co-ordinates political lobbying at all levels of government. GHCHF was incorporated in 1986 as a co-operative under the Co-operative Corporations Act (Ontario). For more information, visit the GHCHF website.

National Federation: Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada) is the national voice of co-operative housing, representing 2,200 housing cooperatives, that are home to about a quarter of a million people in over 90,000 households. There are housing co‑operatives in every province and territory. Founded in 1968 and registered as a non-profit co-operative association under the Canada Co-operatives Act, CHF Canada exists to unite, represent and serve the community of housing co-operatives across Canada and member organizations that support their operation and development. CHF Canada’s services fall into three main categories: advice, education and support (to housing co-operatives, regional federations and other members); speaking up on behalf of co-operatives to administrative and government bodies across Canada; and providing group buying programs. For more information, visit the CHF Canada website

Co-operative Principles: International Co-operative Alliance

Co-operatives around the world share the same seven principles as defined by the International Co-operative Alliance. These principles are guidelines by which co-operatives put their values into practice.

      1. Voluntary and Open Membership: Co-operatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
      2. Democratic Member Control: Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.
      3. Member Economic Participation: Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the co-operative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
      4. Autonomy and Independence: Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
      5. Education, Training, and Information: Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.
      6. Co-operation Among Co-operatives: Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
      7. Concern for Community: Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
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