Information for Prospective Members
Caroline Co-op has 21 apartments of various sizes, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.The co-op supplies and maintains a fridge and stove in each unit. Coin-operated laundry machines are available in the basement. Each household has use of a storage locker in the basement. There is no dedicated on-site parking, however street parking is available. Please note this is a three-storey walk-up building and there is no elevator. Co-op members pay their own hydro and are required to maintain contents and liability insurance.
Caroline Co-op is conveniently located. Transit options include HSR Routes 6 (Aberdeen) and 34 (Upper Paradise), with a bus stop at the building, and bus and train connections to the GTA at the Hunter Street Go Station. There is a Sobi bike share hub and Communauto car share hub within one block of the building. Jackson Square is a short bus ride or 20-minute walk from the building, with a grocery store, farmer’s market, pharmacy, banks, post office, library, and movie theatre. Beckers and Shoppers Drug Mart are located next door to the co-op at Herkimer Stree and Caroline Street. Locke Street and James Street South have a variety of cafes and restaurants, within walking distance of the building. Local schools include Central Elementary (kindergarten to grade 5), Kanétskare Elementary (grades 6-8), and Westdale Secondary (grades 9-12). Durand Park and the AAA Grounds, including track, soccer field, basketball court, and tennis courts, provide recreation opportunities. Kanétskare Recreation Centre has a gym and pool, with classes and drop-in programs run by the City of Hamilton.
Unit Floorplans
These are sample drawings representing most typical units. Available units may differ in layout and dimensions.
Caroline Co-op Governance & Expectations for Member Participation
Anyone applying for membership in the Co-op must understand the expectations for member participation and be willing to volunteer their time to assist with the operations of the building. In order to have a Co-op that is truly driven by its members, it is necessary that all households participate in the functioning of the Co-op through committee involvement and volunteer tasks. Currently, the Co-op has the following committees and subcommittees: education, finance, landscape, maintenance, membership, and social. As members our obligation is to contribute two hours per month per member of the household, in addition to attendance at General Membership meetings. General Membership meetings are held quarterly and must be attended by at least one member of the household. Childcare is provided at all Co-op meetings. We can decide together where you will be able to help the Co-op the most, and where you will be the most comfortable.
The Board runs the month to month business of the Co-op. Directors are elected by the General Membership. The Board consists of five members elected at the annual meeting. The full term is two years though one may be re-elected. These people select signing officers from within themselves including: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They also select committee liaisons. The Board meets at least monthly to carry on all the business of the Co-op and to ensure that the expenditures stay within budget. All committees report to the Board who propose policy, and seek approval for expenditures or appointments from the General Membership meeting.
City of Hamilton Access to Housing Waiting List
A portion of units in the co-op are reserved for households referred from the City of Hamilton’s Access to Housing Waiting List. Rent-geared-to-income housing charge subsidies are available to eligible low-income households referred from the City’s list. If you are interested in applying for one of these units, please apply directly to the City of Hamilton. You will need to complete an Application for Housing form and select Caroline Co-op on the Building Selection Form.
The Province and City of Hamilton set the income limits for social housing eligibility, according to household size and unit type. For 2025, the limits are as follows:
| Unit type | 1-bedroom | 2-bedroom | 3-bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household income limit | $50,500 | $61,000 | $68,000 |
Subsidies are typically calculated as the difference between the housing charge and 30 percent of the household’s income, after taxes and deductions. Deeper subsidies are available to full-time students and those receiving social assistance through OW or ODSP.
Caroline Co-op Waiting List
The remaining portion of units are available through direct application to the Co-op. The application process and link to application form is below. Please note our current waitlist is at least five years long. Housing charges for these units are typically set in accordance with the average market rent figures published annually by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and approved by the members at the co-op’s AGM.
Caroline Co-op Waiting List Application Process
- Apply online. Details about each adult 16 years of age or older who will live in your unit must be provided in the application form.
- Once your application has been received, you will be placed on the co-op’s waiting list for the applicable unit type (1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom).
- When you are near the top of the waiting list, a representative from the co-op’s Member Selection Committee will contact you to confirm you are still interested and to schedule an interview. The purpose of the interview is to try to get to know you a little better. It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions of people who live here.
- After the interview, the co-op verifies your income and conducts a credit and landlord check.
- The final application is forwarded to the Board of Directors for review and approval.
- When you are next in line for an available unit, the co-op will contact you to arrange a viewing of the unit and confirm potential move-in dates.
Application Form
Our Location
Contact
carolinecooperative@gmail.com
272 Caroline St S
Hamilton ON, L8P3L9
Our Memberships
Member Sign In
We are working on a password protected members’ area for online forms and other useful information. Coming soon!