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
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