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NEWS

CHF BC’s free energy benchmarking program is up and running. And now, for most member co-ops, there’s a direct financial benefit to participation.

CHF BC has always been able to assist setting up accounts without charge, but Vancity has partnered with us to allow grants to be distributed for participation. If your non-profit housing co-op is a Vancity member, it may be eligible for up to $500.

CHF BC’s Group Buying programs offer significant benefits for our member housing co-ops. By participating in these programs, member co-ops can provide quality co-op housing and services to their members. At the same time you are supporting efforts to increase the capacity of your federation and the broader community housing sector in British Columbia.

Here are two programs that provide valuable financial services to our members.

On July 19, 2023, a devastating fire at Devonshire Court Housing Co-operative in Maple Ridge destroyed 12 homes. Thankfully everyone made it out safely. Displaced members are staying in a hotel for the near future but urgently need to find new longer-term accommodations while their homes are restored. Ideally the housing will be located near the Maple Ridge area. 

If your co-op has a vacancy they can offer to families or individuals from Devonshire Court, please send an email to members@chf.bc.ca.

CHF BC hosted the latest get-together in our neighbourhood event series on July 12, 2023, with a group of housing co-ops in the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver.

Members from several Marpole housing co-ops spent a beautiful summer evening touring neighbourhood co-ops. During the tour, they shared their co-op living experiences with one another.

CHF BC and CHF Canada embrace the internationally recognized co-op principles: democratic member control, education and training, and autonomy are all vital, but Principle #6, co-operation among co-operatives, is one we like to highlight.

Recently, staff members from CHF BC’s Planning and Renewal team had a chance to meet with our counterparts at the national federation, including the Regional Energy Coach, when they were visiting Vancouver.

Our friends at the Youth Excellence Society (YES)—best know for their summer camp programs—have some exciting news!

The have launched a brand new YES Scholarship Program. The YES believes that all youth should be able to follow their passions, and they are excited to bring this opportunity to their Alumni Participants.

While window falls can result in serious injury or even death, they are also largely preventable through simple measures that can be taken by parents, caregivers, and communities.

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.

The 2023 Co-op Housing Summer BBQ was a resounding success, filled with mouthwatering food, delightful live music, creative face painting, and thrilling games.

Held in the heart of Burnaby at Central Park, this event brought together families, friends, and community members for an unforgettable day of summer festivities.

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.