​Our Movement Our Values

At the 2009 CHF Canada annual meeting the delegates adopted a set of common values for Canadian Housing Co-ops, "Our Movement our values". Here's what the members agreed to.

The Values of Canada's Co-operative Housing Movement

Canada's non-profit housing co-operatives are dedicated to developing strong housing communities that operate under the control of the resident-members, for their mutual benefit on a not-for-profit basis. As a movement we are united by a commitment to uphold and promote these shared values:

  1. The international co-op principles guide the way we govern and manage our housing co-ops.
  2. Continuing to operate our co-ops on a not-for-profit basis is fundamental to our future and to our promise to those in need of housing in Canada.
  3. Co-ops strive to house members with a mix of incomes.
  4. Housing co-ops treat their employees and other providers of management services fairly and value the contribution they make to their communities.
  5. Housing co-ops are inclusive communities and embrace diversity by fostering a membership of differing backgrounds and abilities.
  6. A commitment to environmental sustainability guides the operating practices of housing co-ops.
  7. Co-ops aim to provide a high-quality living environment for their members and do their best to respond to their changing housing needs over time.
  8. The right of members to live in their co-op is protected as long as they respect the by-laws/rules and policies that they have together agreed will govern their housing.