Agency for Co-operative Housing

08/22/2026

A huge congratulations to Grace MacInnis Co-op on celebrating its 50th anniversary! For half a century, this small but mighty co-op has been building community, and welcoming generations of members in the heart of Toronto. Cheers to this remarkable milestone! Read their story via the Co-operative Housing Federation of Torontohttps://mcusercontent.com/9b23b61fd005f9f4c2102dbfb/files/a6b1d872-1267-2202-a385-d4b756847631/20260731_Grace_MacInnis_50_v3.pdf

08/21/2026

What makes our work special? The people behind it.

Nearly one-third of Agency staff have been with us for 15 years or more. That's decades of combined experience supporting co-ops, solving complex challenges, and building strong relationships across the sector.

When you reach out, you're connecting with people whose roots in co-op housing run deep. People committed to helping our clients succeed.

We go the extra mile.

08/20/2026

Building issues are easier to manage when you've planned ahead.

A current Building Condition Assessment (BCA) and reserve fund plan can help your co-op anticipate major repairs, prioritize investments and avoid costly surprises down the road.

If your BCA is more than three years old, now is a great time to start planning for an update. Our Technical Services team is here to help co-ops protect their buildings and plan confidently for the future.

Learn more about caring for your property:

Housing co-operatives have just one valuable asset: their property. So it makes sense to take care of it.A well-kept housing co‑operative has prouder, happier members who love their homes. It’s a place where other people want to live. And one that will serve generations to come, far into the fut...

08/19/2026

Building your budget raises the question every board eventually asks: are these expenses normal?

HomeRun answers it. It gives boards real data on standard operating costs, drawn from other Canadian housing co‑ops, alongside proven good practices, in one online tool built by the Agency.

Knowing your maintenance spending is well below the norm is important when you are crafting your budget.

Reach out if you would like to see what HomeRun can show you about your co‑op.

https://www.homerun.coop/

08/13/2026

We're delighted that the FCHI-2 Rental Assistance Program has been extended and we look forward to a renewed mandate to administer it.

08/12/2026

Today is International Youth Day.

The future of co-op housing depends on the next generation of leaders. Yet many younger members are balancing work, school, family and other commitments, making it harder to get involved.

Co-ops are stronger when everyone has a chance to contribute, including younger members whose experiences and perspectives can help shape the future of our communities.

One simple step you can take: reach out and personally invite a younger member to participate. Whether it's joining a committee, or volunteering at an event, a direct invitation can be the encouragement someone needs to take that first step.

International Youth Day offers a chance to raise awareness of the need to ensure the engagement and participation of youth, which is essential to achieve sustainable human development.

08/11/2026

Before the busy September season arrives, take time to assess your co-op's strengths, identify potential risks, and set clear priorities for the months ahead.

Your Annual Health Check uses peer-based benchmarks and real data to help boards focus on their co-op's financial performance and plan for a stronger future.

Learn how it works:

Making Data-Driven Decisions for Housing Co-ops The directors of Canada’s housing co-ops are elected to make the big business decisions for their co-operatives. And good business decisions are based on good information. The Agency’s Annual Health Check service is your best source of the informat...

08/07/2026

If you missed it in June, our 2025 Annual Report is worth a summer read.

We've called it All the Instruments Agree, and the title says what we found: across compliance, financial health, building condition, and client satisfaction, the picture points the same way. Federal housing co‑ops are, on the whole, well-run, well-positioned for the future and appreciative of the Agency's tools and service.

Read the report:

Our 2025 Annual Report is titled “All the Instruments Agree,” and that is exactly what we found when we sat down to take stock of a landmark year. The Agency's twentieth anniversary in 2025 gave us the perfect occasion to look back honestly at what we set out to do in 2005 and what we have actua...

08/06/2026

The Agency's annual co-op inspection season is well underway. Our on-site inspections run from May through November.

If your co‑op is on this year’s list, a few things make the visit go smoothly: have your maintenance records ready, make sure someone who knows the buildings accompanies the inspector walks through the site, and flags any known issues in advance.

The inspection is not a test. It is a shared look at the condition of the co-op's property and what repairs are most urgent.

More on how inspections work:

The 2026 inspection season starts in May and runs through November. If your co-op is on this year’s list, you’ve probably heard from us already. Routine inspections are free for clients and take place every three years. Why We Do This Your co-op’s annual risk rating is built from three tests. ...

07/27/2026

A big thank you to the Golden Horseshoe Cooperative Housing Federation for hosting an incredible 40th anniversary celebration this past weekend. From the great conversations to the strong sense of community, it was wonderful to be part of such a special milestone.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table to learn more about Annual Health Check. We loved connecting with you!