Wednesday 9 April 2014

Do you feel this way too?

Social isolation --Have you too felt like this? I know that this is part of my issue around “where do I go when I’ve been everywhere and nothing really appeals to me anymore?  I can take it or mostly leave it.  All I can think about is big huge projects that take other people’s time and focus and bother.  I feel like I am bothering people but I want my life to get going and get off it’s butt so to speak.  I wonder if the feeling that “I am broken” ties in here.?  We need a breakthrough and don’t know how to get it.  You would think it would be enough that I know what I want - I.F. and a new home - but it’s not that simple apparently.   

I also want real purpose in helping others.  I would like to have “real things” to do that are purposeful.  Some of these things might include:
  • Going to colleges and assisting other disabled people or the students.  I am doing some of that by speaking to classes every year but it’s minimal.
  • In the past I had people over to my home and let them speak about their independence versus my independence and I got them to ask me questions and think about their own personal lives.  Are there people out there who would be interested in this type of situation.  I personally would like to do this again. 
  • A small church / bible study / home group in my home once a week (evenings)
  • I would also feel more like I'm helping if people would comment on my blog posts, emails and Facebook posts.

Things I would like to change in my life:

  • A larger home
  • Individualized Funding (I.F.)
It is all so simple really.  I am sure there are others out there who feel like I do.  Please comment so we can help each other and make a difference.

Wednesday 2 April 2014

CO-OP HOUSING

Ottawa currently provides operating subsidies to co-ops. The current agreements end in 2017 and 2020 (depending on the co-op), which means there will no longer be federal funding for subsidies, leaving thousands in BC facing a housing crisis.

Co-ops must become self-sustaining to last beyond the federal funding, but many are unable to find funds within their budget for those on subsidy.

The percentage of people on subsidy in co-ops vary. In some cases, there are 40% of residents on subsidy, while in other co-ops, there are only 1-2 people. It may be easier for the co-op with less members relying on subsidy to find money within their budget to subsidize those members.  For the co-ops with higher numbers, it will be more difficult, if not impossible.

As of January last year, co-ops can write a letter stating that they can no longer have the funds to support their subsidized members.  It used to be that co-ops were required to have 15% of their members on subsidy.  Now with co-ops being allowed to opt out of having subsidies, those who rely on the subsidies are put in a tenuous situation.  This means that at any point they can get notice that their co-op will no longer offer subsidy, meaning they have to find alternative housing, if such housing is available.

The concern is – where do these people go?  Currently, subsidized housing is offered by B.C. Housing, non-profit organizations, and co-op  housing.  For those who have lost housing due to the cancellation of their subsidy, they are not going to apply to another co-op because the pattern will most likely repeat itself, which considerably lessens options for housing. In addition there are long wait lists for the few subsidized units. For those on subsidy who also need accessible units, there can be a minimum wait of 3 years, or more. There are few accessible subsidy places in B.C. to begin with, taking co-ops out of the equation creates a true housing crisis for people with disabilities.

Unfortunately the Government doesn’t think that 2017 is soon enough to act on this issue.  This is not just a housing issue, but a health issue, as the stress this is causing to seniors, people with disabilities, and families, is causing severe health issues such as depression and heart attacks.

Some concerned people who contacted their MLAs were advised to be patient, and yet there is no information about what exactly the government is doing in preparation for the upcoming crisis. There are no concrete examples of how they are trying to help.

For many people in co-ops, they are not actively involved in co-op issues or politics, and are not aware of what is going on so they are unable to properly prepare for this upcoming crisis, or to advocate for them rights.

This is a Human and Civil Rights issue but we need someone willing to get into a long battle, and fight for sustained action.  Even though this is about human rights, there is no right given to a person to enable them to fight it.

Please talk to your MLA or MP or representatives, or write to Rich Coleman, Housing Minister.

To raise awareness, and to pressure the government to get involved in this fast approaching housing crisis, the Co-op Housing Federation of B.C. has a “You Hold the Key – Fix the Housing Co-op Crunch” campaign.

For more information, or to learn how you can help, please visit the following links:



One group working on housing issues is the  MetroVancouverAlliance (http://iafnw.org/canada/metrovancouveralliance). They have spent the six months running a “listening campaign” in church halls and union offices, living rooms and coffee shops, to find out what four issues most affect the residents of Metro Vancouver. The campaign led MVA to name the following four issues as the most pressing: housing,  social isolation, transportation and poverty. The loss of subsidized housing in Vancouver will severely impact people living below the poverty line who rely on subsidy, as their housing is a fundamental need for their health and well-being, and the loss of subsidy will definitely lead to social isolation for many. This housing crisis affects three of the four most pressing issues the Metro Vancouver Alliance will be working on. The founding meeting of MVA, held on March 19th, 2014, had a turnout of 600 people. Members of MVA include youth groups, unions, non-profit organizations, co-ops, academic departments, faith congregations, neighbourhood houses, and community groups. The members of MVA will work together as a collective instead of working separately or competing against each other.


Groups such as MVA are an important component in creating change but so is the help of individuals. You can make a difference. Please help, in any way you can, by writing a letter, contacting your government representative, becoming more involved in your own co-op, educating others about this upcoming crisis, and keeping awareness alive on this issue.

Please do not contact the owner of this blog, Cathy Grant.  Instead, for information, please contact the Co-Operative Housing Federation of B.C. at 220 - 1651 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC  V5L 3Y3  phone:  604-879-5111 or toll free 866-879-4611, members' email:  members@chf.bc.ca   email:  info@chf.bc.ca  web: www.chf.bc.ca