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In our fast-changing world, staying on top of the latest information and resources to keep your co-op running smoothly is more important than ever. But at a time when work and learning are moving online, how do we ensure everyone stays motivated and engaged? CHF BC’s new Education Director, Katy Bigsby, has more than a … Continued

September 1, 2020 marks an important date for co-ops that began under federal funding programs. CMHC’s new Rental Assistance Program (RAP, also known as FCHI-2, or the Federal Community Housing Initiative – Phase 2) is about to launch.

The co-op housing sector lobbied hard for the federal government to respond to the challenge of expiring operating agreements and RAP is the successful result of those efforts.

38 years ago today a small but determined group of housing co-ops activated the principle of “co-operation among co-operatives” by founding CHF BC.

We are grateful to our members, directors and staff for their vision, loyalty and resilience.

CHF BC is offering a new set of services to members: our staff can help you with your virtual AGMs, board meetings, town hall information sessions and other meetings.

We can assist with purely virtual gatherings, or help you hold hybrid meetings that include a physical component as well (always with the safety of members in mind).

If you’re a non-profit housing co-op with ambitions to reduce your energy consumption by 25% or more, you may be eligible for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund.

FCM has about $300 million to disburse over the next six years under its Sustainable Affordable Housing program. That works out to $52 million annually, in a mix of loans (usually 10- or 20-year terms) and grants. These funds are general stackable with other programs like CMHC’s Co-investment Fund.

For more than 30 years, Kerry Smith has worked tirelessly on behalf of the co-op sector – advocating, advising, and supporting with knowledge and wisdom in a variety of roles – and will be deeply missed as she begins her retirement effective today.

A treasured friend and colleague, Kerry has been looking forward to this next chapter in her life for some time and has decided to move up her retirement date to get a jump on all the adventures she has planned (many involving her trail bike, Mollie!).

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first virtual town hall on April 22nd. We hope you enjoyed exploring what housing co-ops need to know during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event attracted more than 180 co-op members, making it the best attended event in CHF BC’s history.

Our focus wasn’t on how to survive. Rather it was how to thrive and do whatever’s necessary to emerge from these challenging times stronger than ever. 

If you weren’t able to join us, you can watch the virtual town hall recording below.  And don’t worry, we’ll be scheduling regular events on line to keep you in the loop.

The City of Vancouver is launching a new program to help increase the number of non-profit and co-op homes in the municipality.

Using moneys from the Empty Homes Tax and the City’s own capital budget, the program offers incentives that can be paired with funding from other sources.

MEDIA RELEASE     BC Budget: Delayed Investments Will Only Make BC’s Housing Crisis Worse Housing advocates express disappointment in 2020 provincial budget VICTORIA, BC (February 18, 2020) – The lack of new investments in affordable housing, and the delay in delivering on existing commitments, will only make B.C.’s already serious housing crisis worse, say … Continued

Media are advised that Thom Armstrong, CEO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC), and Jill Atkey, CEO of BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) will be available for interviews on the 2020 Provincial Budget on Tuesday, February 18.

Earlier this week, the City of Vancouver released its long awaited co-op Lease discussion paper.  This launches a period of consultation and discussion that is expected to result in a final report to Council by the summer of 2020. The discussion paper: You can download the discussion paper, read more about the City’s process, and … Continued

Fraserview Housing Co-operative took a big step forward by electing its first resident board at last week’s annual general meeting. This marks an important occasion in the life of a multi-site partnership with the Community Land Trust, the City of Vancouver and the members of Fraserview. Half a decade ago, the City sought a non-profit … Continued