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Do you ever wonder why some neighbourhoods are all single-family homes while others are high-rises, shops, and duplexes? Did you know you get to be part of that conversation?

Since April CityHive’s Civic Innovators, a group of youth (ages 18-30) from across the province of B.C., have been hard at work coming up with entirely new systems of governance and making recommendations on how to improve the public hearing process.

CHF BC has been advancing the co-op housing option for more than 40 years. We support almost 15,000 co-op homes in thriving, successful communities.

Here is how we are doing it.

A $500-million rental-protection fund that will help non-profit groups purchase rental buildings has opened in British Columbia.

The fund aims to help First Nations and other non-profit groups buy older “affordable” rental buildings to preserve them as low-cost rental housing.

Earlier this week, our Housing Central partners at BC Non Profit Housing Association released an updated Canadian Rental Housing Index including data from the 2021 census. 

The Index is a comprehensive database that compiles rental housing statistics for cities, regions, and provinces across Canada.

This year, co-op members in Canada will have two events to celebrate or acknowledge on July 1st. In addition to being Canada Day, this year it is also the 101st International Day of Cooperatives!

"#CoopsDay" is an annual opportunity for local, national, and worldwide governments, civil society organizations, and the general public to learn more about cooperatives.

On June 16, 2023, BC Non-Profit Housing Association, the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC, and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association submitted our Budget 2024 consultation paper.

Taken together, our proposals will ensure that British Columbians have increased access to affordable housing and that their housing is affordable, safe, and in a livable state of repair.

The first resolution members will be voting on at the 2023 CHF Canada national business meeting promotes co-op action towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Co-op 2030 Vision.

As a co-op member, you have a say. Encourage your co-op delegate to review the 2023 Resolutions package on the CHF Canada Annual Meeting event site, and be ready to vote June 17.

Housing Central and CHF Canada recently submitted recommendations on the financialization of housing to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA). 

The financialization of housing is the process where housing is increasingly treated as an investment rather than someone’s home.

The National Education Committee released a Request for Proposals for a project on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

This work has emerged as a priority. The goal is to support the co-op housing sector in implementing best EDI practices in co-op communities.

This year, CHF Canada is piloting a new, hybrid option. Co-ops who can’t attend the National Business Meeting in-person can register virtual delegates.

This is an important opportunity for BC housing co-op to share our voice on a national stage from the comfort of home. We encourage every CHF Canada member in the province to register a delegate.

On June 1, 2023, CMHC launched a new time-limited program to support deep energy retrofits (i.e. ≥70% reduction in energy consumption and ≥80% in greenhouse gas emissions).

The Canada Greener Affordable Housing program helps affordable housing providers—including housing co-operative— complete deep energy retrofits on existing multi-unit residential buildings.

CHF BC is proud to support our 2SLGBTQIA+ community this month, and throughout the year.

We are committed to ensuring that the federation—and our member housing co-operatives—are safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies.