About

A housing Co-operative is a group of people who form a corporation to provide housing services for themselves.

Co-op living is unique to all other forms of housing because it represents a community living within a community.

Democratic management is the lifeblood of a healthy co-op and the people who live in the co-op, and who collectively own and operate the housing, are voting members. The members elect a Board of Directors from among themselves and authorize the board to conduct the day to day business of the co-operative in a manner that satisfies all of the requirements of its Charter, Bylaws, Agreements, and Policies.

All members in a co-operative share in the advantages and responsibilities of co-op life, which makes it more than just a place to live.

There are many kinds of co-operatives: food co-ops, co-op daycares, credit unions, retail co-ops, worker co-ops and housing co-ops. Any group of people can form a co-operative. The members own the co-operative and the co-operative provides a service they need. Housing co-operatives provide housing.

As a co-op member, you have security of tenure. This means that you can live in your home for as long as you wish if you follow the rules of the co-op and pay your housing charge (rent). As a co-op member, you have a say in decisions that affect your home. You and your neighbours own your homes co-operatively. Members form a community that works together to manage the co-op.

Co-op communities are made up of all kinds of people – people with different backgrounds and incomes and special needs. These diverse and vibrant communities are the unique strength of the co-op housing movement.

All members have an equal say in how major decisions are made – “one member, one vote”.

Members come together at meetings to elect a Board of Directors, to approve the annual budget and approve by-laws. Each director is a member of the co-operative who lives in the co-op. Other members work on committees or they perform various tasks to help with the work involved in running the co-op.

A co-operative also employs staff in the co-op’s office who look after the day-to-day business. 

The key difference between co-ops and other types of not-for-profit housing is that co-operative members are actively involved in running their housing community. Each co-operative member must volunteer time to serve on the Board or on a committee, or volunteer for some other co-operative task.

Members do not need special skills to get involved. They learn from one another and in special training sessions designed for co-operative members. Members get to know each other through their working together in the co-op. This involvement creates a sense of community and a safe place for children and adults. 

Anyone can apply to live in a housing co-op. People of all backgrounds and cultures – young and old, married and single, with and without children – live in co-ops. Co-ops are also home to people with different kids of disabilities and those who have special needs.

Co-ops select their own members from those applicants who will be willing to share the responsibility of running the co-operative once they become members. A willingness to live in a diverse community is important to be a co-operative member.

Each member household pays a monthly housing charge (rent) to cover the costs of operating the co-op.

Some households pay the market housing charge, and other households pay an assisted housing charge. The market housing charge is usually slightly less then the rent in a similar private rental unit in the area. An assisted housing charge is calculated on your gross monthly household income and the method of calculation depends on whether you are employed or receiving some form of assistance. Utilities (heat, hydro, water, etc.) are not included in the cost of the housing charge, and are the responsibility of the member, whether market or assisted.

Members enjoy the same kind of unit and all the benefits of membership regardless of whether they pay the market rate or an assisted rate. 

To apply for a unit within Drumlin Co-operative, you must complete an application. An online application can be found below, or you can contact our office for a paper copy. 

After you have completed an application, there will be a credit check done on all persons over the age of eighteen who are applying. The co-op’s Occupancy By-law states that anyone over the age of eighteen who wishes to live in the co-op must apply for membership. 

Once a credit check has been completed, you will be invited to an interview where members of the co-op’s selection committee will ask you some questions. They will discuss with you the member’s rights and responsibilities of living in a co-op. You may be placed on a waitlist if no units are available at that time. 

Once your application has been approved by the membership committee, they will take the application to the Board of Directors for final approval. This process normally takes 1-2 weeks to complete.