Back to top ^

Investigate External Support

Government programs may exist to assist. This is especially important for non-profit co-ops. Expect that assistance will come with obligations, often around affordability.

  1. Investigate pre-development funding, if appropriate
    1. CMCH Seed Funding
    2. BC Housing Project Development Fund
    3. Vancity early-stage grants and pre-construction loans
  2. CMHC’s Co-op Housing Development Program
  3. CMHC’s Affordable Housing Program (New Construction Stream), previously the Co-investment Fund.
  4. Explore whether your project might be eligible to submit an RFP to the Building BC Community Housing Fund
  5. BC Housing (and its Housing Hub)
  6. Investigate potential financing (loans and grants) through regular commercial borrowing

Note that funders traditionally support organizations that have experience. They also have policy goals they are hoping to achieve around matters of affordability, accessibility, energy-efficiency and more. If you seek funding you may need to ensure that these external goals can be met.

Equity co-ops will have less access to support, but will have more independence from rules set by others.

Photo credit: “supports” by Eli Duke used by CC BY-SA 2.0. Original image was cropped and toned with text added.