outdoors BBQ’s or informal gatherings with neighbours and friends. Chris partly credits the longevity of the FCCHA to that initial forward-thinking planning. He also partly credits the co-op’s enduring success to its unique self-subsidy model, as well as its relatively large size of– with 170 units, he says the co-op has “sufficient membership with a broad range of volunteer skills, expertise and knowledge,” which “creates fiscal viability, flexibility and resilience.” “There is never a shortage of applicants who want to move in, given the scarcity of affordable housing for families in Vancouver. Interviews with applicants provide them with an opportunity to learn more about the co-op and to consider whether cooperative housing is a good fit for them. Once a family is approved, they are placed on the waiting list. The membership committee looks at a variety of parameters such as income, skills, family size, diversity gaps, and considers direction from the board.” “As a housing co-op, we especially seek potential new members interested in co-op values and participating in coop committees and activities. At the inception of the FCCHA, close to 10 per cent of the co-op’s membership were Ismaili refugees and we have continued to accept refugee families from more recent wars and conflict.” JANUARY 2024
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