Canada's co-operative communities celebrate new housing co-op in Olympic
Village

OTTAWA, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - "Co-op members across the country are cheering Vancouver City Council's decision to include a housing co-operative in the City's Olympic Village," said Nicholas Gazzard, Executive Director of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada).

"Co-operative housing is a fantastic form of member-owned, mixed-income housing with over a 40-year history building strong, diverse communities," said CHF Canada President Wes Hosler, who lives nearby in Vancouver's Lore Krill Housing Co-op. "So this is a great fit for the new Olympic Village neighbourhood!"  

Vancouver City Council approved a staff motion yesterday accepting a bid from the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) to create a housing co-op in one of the three buildings owned by the City. The new 84-unit housing co-op will be managed and maintained by CHF BC's property management affiliates COHO Management Services Society and COHO Repair Services. The co-op will house a mix of household incomes.

"CHF BC and COHO are excellent organizations with a reputation for professionalism and tirelessly supporting housing co-ops in British Columbia," said Gazzard. "Co-ops across Canada wish them every success on this new project."

Few new housing co-ops have been built in close to a decade. CHF Canada advocates for creating new affordable housing, including non-profit housing and new co-op homes to help nearly 1.5 million Canadian households in core housing need. Last week, in front of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, CHF Canada urged the federal government to require accountability and results in exchange for the money it transfers to the provinces and territories.

CHF Canada is the national voice of the Canadian co-operative housing movement. Its members include over 900 non-profit housing co-operatives and other organizations across Canada. More than a quarter of a million Canadians live in housing co-ops, in every province and territory.

For further information:

Nicholas Gazzard, Executive Director, 1-800-465-2752 ext. 230, or cell 613-293-8913, [email protected]

Scott Jackson, Program Manager, National Communications, 1-877-533-2667 ext. 122, or cell 778-227-3864, [email protected]