Co-operative Housing Association
of Eastern Ontario

Co-ops and Housing Issues in the News!

To rent or to buy? For many home hunters that is the question. But there is a third option, albeit one that few consider: co-operative housing.

Technically speaking, housing co-operatives are incorporated, non-profit housing developments formed by people with a common desire to jointly own their homes. But to most co-op members they are much more.

Lori Simpson has lived in a housing co-op for three years. "Co-op housing is more than just a place to live. It's a community. It's a wonderful place to live. It's different from living in a rental accommodation because members work together and build the community. You know your neighbours and care about them. There is a real sense of community in a co-op, and the kids seem to absorb the spirit," she said. "Also, co-ops attract people with special needs, seniors, new immigrants, the disabled and single parents. Kids learn the importance of diversity."

The first housing co-operative in Ottawa was built in 1973. Since then, more than 50 co-ops have been built in every corner of the region.

A little like a condominium, the major difference is that co-op units are not individually owned. Instead, the co-operative corporation owns the development and residents buy a membership.

A board of directors, elected by and composed of members, manages the co-op. Committees take care of the day-to-day operations, select members, maintain the grounds and building, and manage the co-op's finances. All major decisions, including changing housing charges, approving budgets and altering the co-op's rules and regulations, are made democratically. Each member has one vote.

Prospective members must commit to participating in the operation of the co-op. Most co-ops set a monthly minimum or five to eight hours. In a typical co-op, one-quarter to three-quarters of the households pay a reduced monthly charge, based on their income. The others pay the full monthly charge.

Nick Sidor has lived in Sandy Hill Housing Co-operative for more than 15 years and is one of its founders. He had a practical reason for getting involved in co-op housing. "I was having trouble with a landlord and was looking for another place to live. I didn't want to rent another place nor did I want to buy."

He heard about a federal government co-op housing program and became interested. With the support of local politicians, he and some like-minded people applied to be one of the 39,000 housing co-operative developed under a program administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing. They were successful, and Sandy Hill Housing Co-operative was born.

"What I like most about living in a housing co-op is self-sufficiency," said Mr. Sidor. "We don't have to rely on a landlord or management corporation to get things done. Members have control over every aspect of their housing. Because they have a stake in the place they live, other than making a profit, the property is maintained properly and decisions are made for the good of the community."

Sandy Hill Housing Co-operative has undertaken many community building projects, including a communal garden on vacant land owned by the University of Ottawa. They have established a food bank for members in need, and members of the Co-op are involved in a community kitchen.

For one of Ottawa's newer housing co-operatives, the commitment to building a viable co-operative community goes a step further. People living in Conservation Housing Co-operative, on Mann Avenue, are committed to building an environmentally friendly community. "Besides promising to do co-op work, our members must commit to making our community green," said Marie-Josée Martin, President of Conservation Co-op's board of directors. "All members must sign an environmental code of practice."

Members promise to reduce energy and water consumption, to not use air conditioners (unless needed for medical reason) and to use environmentally friendly cleaning products. They must also compost and recycle their garbage.

The commitment to green living extends to most aspects of the Co-op. "The buildings are designed to reduce energy consumption, and the Co-op was purposely located near bus routes. We have very few parking spaces for cars, but we have spaces for 86 bicycles," said Ms. Martin. A rooftop garden adds to the attractiveness and environmental quality of the Co-op.

Conservation Co-op is also participating in a pilot project sponsored by Canada Mortgage and Housing. Bathtub water from eight units is cleaned nd recycled for the flushing toilets.

They've also established a food co-op. Once a month, members and the public can buy organically grown food at a lower price because the Co-op gets the food from a wholesaler, the Ontario Natural Food Co-operative.

Nick Sidor laments the fact no new housing co-operatives are being built. The federal government got out of housing in 1993, and Ontario ended its involvement in 1995. "That's a real shame," he said. "Housing co-ops are not only great places to live, they fill a need for affordable housing.".

The lush gardens of Conservation Housing Co-operative

To learn more about Conservation Co-op and other co-ops visit our Directory of Co-ops

Nick Sidor (right) and wife Lori Simpson (second from left) with children (clockwise from left) Chris Cowan, Matt Cowan and Aaron Cowan (on Nick's lap). Nick Sidor has been living at Sandy Hill Housing Co-operative for more than 15 years, and is one of its founders.