THE PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW TO GET A HOUSING UNIT IN A HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE
You want to switch over to cooperative housing? Before going any further in your efforts to find a housing unit and become a member of a housing cooperative, it is important to understand how a co-op functions and the implications of living in a co-op To do this, we invite you to visit the pages Housing Co-operative and Programs and subsidies.
SPECIAL PROCEDURE FOR PSBL-P CO-OPERATIVES
Please note that due to the high demand and the small number of available units, the wait for this type of dwellings can be very long, if you are successful.
INFORMATION SESSIONS ON THE HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE FORMULA
To help you better understand the functioning of housing co-operatives, FECHIMM also offers information sessions. Available for $ 15 per person, these meetings allow you to learn about life in a co-operative and assess whether the co-operative formula meets your needs.
Following these meetings, you will be asked to fill out a form indicating your preference in neighborhoods, committees you could join and other relevant information. The list of participants will then be made available to FECHIMM’s member co-operatives and will constitute a bank of potential candidates for co-operatives looking for new members.
Please note that the co-operatives are not forced to use the list of participants sent by FECHIMM.
SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT INFORMATION SESSIONS ON THE CO-OPERATIVE FORMULA
During the COVID outbreak, our offices are closed. The sessions will be held in a video conference. A link to connect to the session will be sent to those who will have registered.
Next sessions are:
Thursday, February 23 at 1:30 PM - Sold-out
Thursday March 02 at 1:30 PM - Sold-out
Registration fees: $15 per person. Registration fees must be paid prior to the information session.
For more information on these sessions and to register
Info@fechimm.coop
514-843-6929, ext. 221
IDENTIFY WHICH CO-OPERATIVES YOU WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN
From the page Searching for co-op, according to your criteria, select the co-operatives that meet your needs. If you are looking for subsidized housing, make sure you qualify for the subsidy program in place in the selected co-operative. Please also note that these units are rare and more difficult to find.
You can also download the complete list of FECHIMM’s member (FR). To receive a copy of the list of the 460 co-operatives grouped by sector, please send your request with a check or money order for $ 6 payable to: FECHIMM, 7000, avenue du Parc, suite 206, Montreal (Quebec) H3N 1X1.
You can also get the complete list for $2 by coming to our offices in person during business hours.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
To submit your application, you must write to the co-operatives, specifying :
- The number of people in your household and the size of the unit needed
- The approximate income of your household
- The reasons why you want to live and become a member of a housing co-operative
- Your relevant work and volunteer experiences
- Your information (telephone number and address)
Some co-operatives have an email address to receive applications. If this is the case, you are invited to send them an email. Otherwise, proceed by regular mail.
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
Each co-operative is independent and has its own selection committee, has its own particular criteria and its own waiting list. The Federation cannot therefore help you about the wait times or the chances of getting a positive response to your request. If the cooperative has an available unit, the selection committee will review your request and will summon you to a selection interview during which you will need to demonstrate your genuine interest and abilities for the cooperative life.