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Co-op Housing Federations meets in Victoria, celebrates 50th
Over 700 housing co-op members and staff from across Canada met last week in Victoria for the 50th Annual Meeting of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada.
Participants gathered at the Victoria Conference Centre to learn, network and celebrate the recent success of their four-year advocacy campaign. The campaign protected more than 20,000 low-income households that were under threat of expiring federal subsidies.
“We have much to celebrate in the 50th year of Canada’s co-op housing movement, and we find ourselves at the dawn of an exciting new era,” said federation President Nicole Waldron. “With the new National Housing Strategy and with other governments and private sector partners increasingly seeing the value of expanding co-op housing, we look forward to partnering on solutions to the housing crisis.”
BCCA advocates for co-op sector with B.C.’s Small Business Task Force
For the first time, the BC Co-operative Association was invited to participate in a discussion with BC’s Small Business Task Force.
On June 6th, the BCCA joined other entrepreneurs and business owners from B.C. to discuss how to maintain and strengthen a healthy small business sector in the province. This is the first time the BCCA has been invited to join a small business consultation. Representatives took this opportunity to talk about issues of concern to members. That included access to financing, streamlining access to government programs and services, and educating the Task Force on the co-op sector’s role in the provincial economy. BCCA vice-chair John Kay, a regular guest on Each for All, says the association is looking forward to future opportunities to build awareness and support for the co-op and credit union sector.
Sunshine Coast Credit Union, The Co-operators and Sunshine Coast Community Services Society collaborate on new housing support project
In terms of supply and affordability of rental housing, the Sunshine Coast ranks as one of B.C.’s top ten communities in critical condition.
But three community-minded organizations are working together to launch a new service that aims to keep people housed during times of acute financial stress. The program offers short term interest-free loans and support through advocacy and referral services.
Recognizing the need for a variety of solutions to support housing security, the Sunshine Coast Credit Union, The Co-operators and Sunshine Coast Community Services Society are working together to develop and deliver a service that will support individuals experiencing a temporary financial crisis. Tenants facing the potential for eviction, or the termination of their utilities, will be able to apply for a short term interest free loan. Applicants will be required to qualify based on specific criteria including minimum income verification.
https://www.sunshineccu.com/SharedContent/documents/MediaRelease/HousingSecurityMay282018Final.pdf
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