Co-op Housing Inquiries
The Ontario Co-operative Association is not a housing co-operative, nor do we process applications or support applicants. Please see below for responses to common inquiries related to co-operative housing.
I AM LOOKING FOR AND/OR WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR A UNIT IN A HOUSING CO-OP
To find a housing co-operative in Ontario, please contact the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, Ontario Region toll free at: 1-800-268-2537, or via email at: info@chfcanada.coop. You can also use their online listing to find a specific housing co-operative in your area. You will will need to contact the desired housing co-operative directly to apply.
I HAVE AN ISSUE AT THE HOUSING CO-OP THAT I LIVE IN
The OCA has no jurisdiction over housing co-ops. You would have to appeal directly to the Board of Directors of your co-operative. Otherwise, try contacting the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, Ontario Region toll free at: 1-800-268-2537, or via email at: info@chfcanada.coop for assistance.
WHAT DO I DO IF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS CONTRAVENING THE ACT OR BREAKING THE LAW?
Every co-operative is its own autonomous organization, so if the board of directors is contravening the Co-operative Corporations Act or otherwise breaking a law, the remedy to the issue must come from within your co-operative with members taking matters into their own hands and/or by hiring a lawyer. The OCA does not have any authority over a co-ops operations, especially if the co-op is not a member of our association. We provide pro-active support to our members so they hopefully don't get into poor governance or legal situations.
Are you a member of this housing co-operative or an employee? If you are a member, the next step would be to check in with other members of your co-operative to assess whether the issue is something that everyone else is also concerned about, or if it is a matter that is more of a personal concern. If the matter is not of concern to other members, you may need to consider whether you wish to remain a member of the co-operative, since your values clearly don't align with those of the co-op. If many members have similar concerns, the matter can be officially raised with the board of directors, through a requisition and a special member meeting. If the board is officially requisitioned, they must call a meeting to discuss the issues. If discussion at a special meeting does not resolve the issue, next steps would be carrying out removal of directors.
Keep in mind that if the co-operative's board is already not following their legal obligations, getting them to follow these rules that are also in the law will be difficult, and you may end up needing to get a lawyer involved either way.
If you believe your human rights are being violated, you can also contact the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre at: 416-597-4900 or toll free at: 1-866-625-5179 and speak with a Human Rights Advisor.