What is 2020 Vision?

The co-op housing movement in Canada is at a crossroads. The co-ops we live in are getting older. The needs of co-op members are changing. With very few exceptions, we are not adding new co-ops to our sector.

By the year 2020, the operating agreements for all of the Section 95 and most of the Federal Co-op Housing Program (ILM) co-ops will have ended. Some 55,000 co-op homes will be operating outside of any contract with CMHC. That means no more government rules to follow, but it also means no more subsidies for low-income members and no government safety net if a co-op runs into trouble. Housing co-ops built under provincial programs have longer to wait, but they face the same future.

In other words, we’ll be on our own, a thought that is exciting some co-ops, and making others nervous.

Where will your housing co-op be by the year 2020? 2020 Vision is about more than the end of our agreements with government. Looking after our homes, managing our money and serving our members well are the priorities of the moment as much as they are the challenges of the future. The 2020 project will help map a vision of the road ahead for housing co-ops and the co-op housing movement, then develop the tools and resources to make that vision a reality.

Introducing 2020 Vision

To help your members learn more about 2020 Vision we have created a document called Introducing 2020 Vision. It is  meant to be included in your newsletter, but you can share it in any way you like. Just click on the link to open and download it.