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Building the future
CHF Canada employs a multi-pronged approach to expanding co-operative housing options.
We strengthen affordability through four key strategies:
- Amalgamation
- Acquisition
- Conversion
- New Construction
New Construction
New construction is the process of developing new co-operative housing projects to meet growing demand, increase supply, and create inclusive communities rooted in co-op principles.
If you are interested in information on the first steps to consider for new construction download a new resource series on preparing for development: People, Buildings, Land and Money.
CHDP has launched and new projects are breaking ground. Discover the progress, key learnings, successes, and strategic direction of the Co-operative Housing Development Program (CHDP) since its launch in June 2025: CHDP Biannual Report.
Acquisition
A co-operative housing acquisition is the process of transferring ownership or control of existing residential property—such as an apartment building or multi-unit complex—into the hands of a housing co-operative.
The primary goal is not just development or investment, but to preserve affordability and community control by moving the property out of the private, profit-driven market and into a co-operative structure.
This ensures long-term affordability, democratic governance by members, and stability for residents, aligning with the co-op principle of housing as a collective good rather than a commodity.
Conversion
A co-operative housing acquisition is the process of transferring ownership or control of existing residential property—such as an apartment building or multi-unit complex—into the hands of a housing co-operative.
The primary goal is not just development or investment, but to preserve affordability and community control by moving the property out of the private, profit-driven market and into a co-operative structure.
This ensures long-term affordability, democratic governance by members, and stability for residents, aligning with the co-op principle of housing as a collective good rather than a commodity.
Amalgamation
A housing co-operative amalgamation is the legal merger of two or more housing co-operatives into a single, new entity, combining their members, assets, and operations to create a larger, unified co-op, often to achieve greater efficiency, stability, or to access more resources.
It’s a formal process requiring member and board approval, resulting in one surviving organization that assumes the rights and obligations of the previous ones.
Land Co-operatives
Land co‑operatives offer a community‑driven way to protect land, support long‑term housing affordability, and strengthen co‑operative housing across the country. This video introduces the land co‑operative model, explains how it works, and highlights why it is becoming an important tool for securing land, so the co‑operative housing sector can continue to grow.
You can also read our Frequently Asked Questions document for more information about land co-operatives.
More Ways to Learn About Co-op Housing and Connect to the Sector
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