BC Co-op housing

[orangatan]

Hi,

My family is currently having a difficult time finding affordable housing.  Dh and I have two kids (ages 3.5 and 1.5) and a little surprise baby on the way.  I know ages ago I saw a thread about co-op housing- I've tried searching it but come up with nothing.  We are currently exploring the possibility of a co-op and know that they aren't for everyone.  If anybody can recommend some, or some to stay away from I would be very grateful.  We would be looking at Burnaby but anywhere (Coquitlam, PoMo, Vancouver, Downtown) would be ok.  It's causing so much stress and I would just love to have someplace to call home.  

[weliveintheforest]

I think this might be the site http://www.chf.bc.ca/ with the directory of co-ops accepting applications here: http://www.chf.bc.ca/pages/directory.asp

[niqi]

we lived in the Coal Harbour coop for several years, although that was a few years ago. The rent was not much less than other places around 1000 but in that area many places are 2-3000 easy. other areas have cheaper rents, and some require applications for subsidies. the biggest difference is the meetings and participation requirements as they can be several hours per week.

[KayPea]

We live in the Mau Dan Gardens Housing Co-op in Strathcona/Chinatown in Vancouver. It took us a year on the waiting list (and some proactiveness on our part) to get in. It's one of the co-ops in Vancouver that has the shortest waiting list, but also the cheapest housing charges. They require 4 hours a month in participation. 

When we were applying to so-ops, we looked at the co-op website posted above, and literally applied to ALL the co-ops that we were interested in. Over 20, in all. I kept a spreadsheet to keep track of what point in the process we were at, as many of them require reapplying after 6 months or a year. 

One great tip that I got from other co-opers was to make your application as personal as you can. Include introductions of your family members, resumes, detailed outlines of volunteer experiences, even pictures. More than the application asked for, basically. Some co-ops take people strictly in the order of applications received, but others are much more subjective, and will take the best candidate. Following up, if you can, is a good idea. Often people are really busy, so the easier you make it for them to pick you, the better!

Good luck! We were so happy to finally get into a co-op!

[amo80]

Hi KayPea,

Our family (husband and myself, three kids and one on the way) has been on the Mau Dan waiting list just over 8 months.  We included a cover letter and photo with our application (and have marked on the calendar when to contact them in order to keep our application active).  Is there anything else you would suggest to help get us noticed?  We've been wanting to move into Strathcona for a year and the co-op sounds so great for our family.  

Thanks!

Aimee

[KayPea]

Hmmm... the best advice that I can offer is make sure that you have marked on your application VERY CLEARLY exactly what type of unit you'd be willing to move into. For example, if you have only checked off that you'd like a 4 bedroom townhouse, or 3 bedroom townhouse with basement, you are unlikely to get a call, ever, because these are the types of units that get moved into internally. So, depending on what kind of unit you would like to move into, make sure that this is indicated on your application/application renewal. You can check off more than one type of unit, and theoretically, you'd be put on the waiting list for each of those type of units. I'd also e-mail [e-mail] to make sure that you are on the waiting list for all the types of units you would be interested in. As you can see, it's the type of unit that determines waiting list, we don't have one big list. 

So, if you want a 3 bedroom, make sure you have indicated that you'd take a 3 bedroom without basement, as well as one with. Feel free to indicate that you'd like a 4-bedroom, but since there are only a couple of them here, the internal wait lists are long, and it's unlikely someone new will move in immediately. If you would settle for a 2-bedroom, be sure to check those off as well, though with 4 kids, I doubt a 2 bedroom would work for you! So this would mean you'd need three bedrooms, which means a townhouse, which do have internal waitlists occasionally. 

Anyway, that's all I can offer you at the moment, since we are a co-op that generally takes members spot by spot on the waitlist (we will make an exception for those with housing needs). Feel free to check on your position on the waitlist with the membership e-mail as well. It may take a while, but someone will get back to you. 

Good luck! This is a great community, and it's always exciting to get more families in here. 
 

Originally Posted by amo80 

Hi KayPea,

Our family (husband and myself, three kids and one on the way) has been on the Mau Dan waiting list just over 8 months.  We included a cover letter and photo with our application (and have marked on the calendar when to contact them in order to keep our application active).  Is there anything else you would suggest to help get us noticed?  We've been wanting to move into Strathcona for a year and the co-op sounds so great for our family.  

Thanks!

Aimee

[amo80]

thanks so much KayPea.  I will double check and see which lists we are on and make sure to get on the three bedroom list.

aimee