In Canada and in some other countries around the world, social housing takes a specific form—housing cooperatives. These communities provide affordable, mixed-income housing where residents collectively manage their communities. Unlike traditional rental housing, co-ops operate "at-cost," meaning there's no profit motive, just fair, sustainable housing.
Most of Canada’s housing cooperatives were developed in the 1970s and 80s when the government championed the idea that housing is a fundamental right. Today, they remain a vital part of the country’s housing landscape and are ramping up for a new period of development.
How is this similar to our Social Housing Model?
Living in a social housing co-op isn’t just about having a roof over your head, it’s about being part of a community. Here’s how they are similar to our model:
Affordability – Co-ops are run “at cost”, which includes setting aside funds for future needs. Rents remain reasonably priced over the long term, without the required investor return that drives up rents and eventually pushes people out.
Resident Participation – Members actively participate in community decision-making, helping to shape their community and build relationships among neighbors.
Housing Stability – As long as residents follow community rules, they can’t be evicted at the whim of a landlord. This allows residents to live significantly longer in social housing cooperatives compared to private rental units, including “aging in place”, allowing them to build long term relationships within their communities.
The Mental Health & Well-Being Advantage
Research shows that co-op living isn’t just about affordability, it may enhance well-being. A recent public health study found that people in Canada’s housing co-ops had 42% lower odds of poor mental health compared to those renting from private landlords. (Kader, 2024) My own research backs this up: co-op residents report feeling a stronger sense of belonging and community compared to those in private rentals.
Canada’s social housing cooperatives provide evidence that affordable, mixed-income social housing can be stable, community-driven, and good for mental health. By building on the strengths of the co-op model, our proposed social housing approach has the potential to transform mixed-income affordable housing, providing more than just a place to live—it’s a foundation for stability, connection, and a better quality of life.
References
Kader, e. a. (2024). Rental Housing Type and Self-Reported General Health and Mental Health Status: Evidence from the Canadian Housing Survey 2018-2019. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
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