Community, Affordability, and Stability in Housing in BC
Living in a housing co-op is about much more than having a place to live—it’s about belonging to a community, sharing responsibility, and working together to create stable, affordable homes.
Across Vancouver and British Columbia, housing co-ops continue to provide secure, inclusive housing for people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels. At SPICE Management Group, we work alongside housing co-ops to support strong governance, sound financial planning, and long-term sustainability so co-op communities can thrive.
What Is a Housing Co-op?
A housing co-op is a non-profit, member-owned housing community. Instead of renting from a private landlord or owning an individual unit, members collectively own and manage the entire property.
Members:
Pay monthly housing charges
Participate in decision-making
Share responsibility for the well-being of the community
Unlike strata or rental housing, housing co-ops are self-governed organizations rooted in democratic control and community participation.
The Advantages of Co-op Living
Housing co-ops offer benefits that are often unavailable in other types of housing.
Security of Tenure
Members can remain in their homes long-term as long as they follow co-op rules and meet their housing charge obligations. This stability is especially important in high-cost markets like Vancouver.
A Voice in Your Housing
Co-op members have a direct say in how their housing is managed. Decisions about budgets, policies, maintenance, and long-term planning are made collectively.
Mixed-Income, Inclusive Communities
Housing co-ops are not public housing. They are mixed-income communities where people with different financial circumstances live side by side. This diversity strengthens co-op communities and reflects one of the core values of cooperative housing.
Strong Sense of Community
Because members participate in governance and daily life, co-ops tend to foster stronger neighbour relationships, mutual support, and a shared sense of belonging.
How Housing Co-ops Are Governed
Co-op members elect a board of directors from within the membership. These volunteer directors are legally responsible for acting in the best interests of the co-op and overseeing:
Financial management
Property maintenance
Policies and procedures
Long-term planning
Many co-ops also work with professional management companies, such as SPICE Management Group, to support day-to-day operations and technical requirements while keeping decision-making in the hands of members.
Government Programs That Support Housing Co-ops
Over the past several decades, federal and provincial governments have created programs to support the development of non-profit housing co-ops.
These programs have included long-term mortgages, operating subsidies, and rent assistance designed to help low-income households afford co-op housing. Many co-ops in BC were developed with assistance from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) through earlier federal initiatives.
More recently, the Federal Community Housing Initiative (FCHI) and the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) have helped maintain affordability for low-income households as older operating agreements expire.
Non-Program and Community-Led Co-op Development
Today, a growing number of housing co-ops are being developed without traditional senior government programs. Community-led initiatives, land trusts, and sector partnerships are helping create new mixed-income cooperative housing that responds to local needs.
These new models highlight the continued relevance and adaptability of the co-op housing sector.
What the Rental Assistance Program Means for Co-ops
The Rental Assistance Program (part of FCHI Phase 2) supports low-income households so their housing charges do not exceed approximately 30% of household income.
While the program helps preserve affordability, it also comes with reporting and accountability requirements. Strong administration and financial planning are essential for co-ops participating in RAP.
SPICE Management Group assists co-ops in navigating these requirements and integrating subsidy programs into their long-term financial strategies.
Living in a Co-op: Rights and Responsibilities
Being a co-op member means more than paying housing charges—it means contributing to the community.
Members are encouraged to:
Participate in meetings and committees
Follow co-op policies
Report maintenance issues promptly
Treat neighbours with respect
This shared responsibility is what allows co-ops to remain stable, affordable, and community-focused.
Supporting Healthy Co-op Communities
Planning and renewal is about more than buildings and budgets—it’s about people, community, and long-term vision. By combining financial expertise, technical knowledge, and a deep understanding of cooperative values, SPICE Management Group supports housing co-ops in creating sustainable, resilient communities where members can thrive.
If your housing co-op is ready to take the next step toward long-term success, SPICE is here to help.
