Co-Operative Housing Federation of British Columbia

What Co-Operative Housing Federation of British Columbia does

CHF BC is the provincial membership federation for housing co-operatives and related organizations across British Columbia, headquartered in Vancouver and serving 260+ member co-ops with a staff of 11-50. Founded in 1982 and incorporated under the BC Cooperative Association Act, it provides a portfolio of member services rather than a single product: a Find-a-Co-op directory of 287 BC co-ops, the Centre for Co-operative Learning online education platform, group buying programs with vendor partners (TELUS, RONA, Vancity, Coast Capital, Waste Connections, and others), planning and renewal asset management, advocacy at provincial and federal levels, and resident-focused programs including scholarships, aging-in-place support, and accessibility initiatives. The organization is proudly independent of government revenue and is funded through recurring annual membership dues and affiliate revenue negotiated from group buying vendors.

CHF BC operates an integrated ecosystem with two affiliated entities — Community Land Trust (a social purpose real estate developer established in 2015 that builds new co-ops to Passive House standards using pre-fabricated mass timber) and COHO Management Services Society (a non-profit property management company with over 40 years of experience) — both sharing top-level leadership and reporting to the CHF BC Board of Directors. It is also a founding member of Housing Central, a strategic alliance with BC Non-Profit Housing Association and Aboriginal Housing Management Association, and the BC affiliate of CHF Canada.

The go-to-market is community-led: CHF BC attracts and retains member co-ops through direct consultative services, group buying savings, educational programming, and advocacy. The largest near-term strategic risk is the scheduled 2028 expiry of the federal FCHI-2 Rental Assistance Program, which currently supports 170 BC co-ops representing 45% of the $30M national program and whose renewal will materially shape the operating environment for members.

Name

Co-Operative Housing Federation of British Columbia

Legal name

Co-operative Housing Federation of British Columbia

Website

https://chf.bc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CHF BC is a Vancouver-based non-profit membership federation serving 260+ housing co-operatives across British Columbia, providing group buying, education, planning/renewal services, advocacy, and scholarships, funded by member dues and vendor partnerships rather than government revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues and fees: CHF BC operates as a membership organization. Members support their federation through annual membership dues and fees for a wide range of programs and services. The organization is proudly independent with no annual revenue coming from government.
2. Group Buying program revenue: The Group Buying Program combines purchasing power of member co-ops to secure preferred pricing. CHF BC negotiates financial compensation from participating companies that helps fund CHF BC services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CHF BC is a non-profit membership organization that unites, represents, and serves housing co-operatives and their members across British Columbia. It delivers a portfolio of member services including group buying programs, education, planning and renewal, advocacy, and resident support programs, funded through annual membership dues and vendor commissions.

Product overview

CHF BC is a membership organization for housing co-operatives in British Columbia, not a unified software product. The organization provides a portfolio of member services including: Find a Co-op directory (searchable database of 260+ housing co-ops), Centre for Co-operative Learning (online education platform), Group Buying Program (collective purchasing with vendor partners like TELUS, RONA), Planning & Renewal services (asset management planning), and various support programs for members including advocacy, scholarships, aging in place, youth engagement, belonging/inclusion, sustainability, and reconciliation initiatives. The organization also connects members with external funding sources including the Rental Assistance Program and energy benchmarking support. CHF BC is proudly independent with no government funding for annual revenue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centre for Co-operative Learning: An online learning platform providing resources, online courses and education events for co-op members.

Products and services

• Member Support Services Comprehensive support services delivered to member housing co-operatives, including consultations, meeting support, group buying programs, external financial support guidance, and planning and renewal assistance. For member housing co-operative organizations across British Columbia.
• Find a Co-op Directory An online searchable directory of more than 260 non-profit housing co-operatives across British Columbia, allowing users to filter by location, housing type, and features to find available co-op housing. For prospective residents, families, seniors, and people with disabilities seeking affordable co-op housing in BC.
• Planning & Renewal Services Asset management planning services including building condition assessments, 30-year renewal schedules, financial planning, and support for capital projects and lease renewals. For member housing co-operatives planning long-term building and financial sustainability.
• Group Buying Program Collective purchasing program leveraging the purchasing power of member co-ops to secure preferred pricing on furnishings, renovations, appliances, telecom services (TELUS), home improvement supplies (RONA), waste management, and financial services from vetted vendor partners. For member housing co-operatives and their resident members.
• Centre for Co-operative Learning Online education platform offering courses on co-op essentials, power and privilege, addressing unconscious bias, and other topics related to living in and governing housing co-operatives. Provides resources, online courses, and education events. For co-op members, board directors, and staff of housing co-operatives.
• Resident Member Buying Program Exclusive discount program for residents of CHF BC member co-operatives, providing household discounts on TELUS telecom services (40% off TV and internet) and RONA home improvement products. For individual residents living in CHF BC member co-ops.
• Scholarships & Funding Program Financial support programs including the Disability Trust (interest-free loans for share purchases for individuals with disabilities), Domestic Violence Relief Fund (loans for those fleeing domestic violence), and various scholarships for youth and adults. For co-op residents, including people with disabilities and youth.
• External Financial Support Services Guidance on external funding sources including Federal Rent Supplement Programs (Rental Assistance Program), Social Housing Energy Savings Program, CHF Canada Microgrants, Vancity Energy Benchmarking Support, and Vancouver Island Community Impact Grants. For member housing co-operatives seeking capital and operating funding.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Community Living BC (CLBC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2024CLBC provides supports to adults with developmental disabilities. The partnership expands housing choices for CLBC-funded individuals through reserved units in new CLT developments, with the Sawmill Housing Co-op as the first community under this agreement.
• Community Land Trust (CLT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Community Land Trust is a social purpose real estate developer established by CHF BC in 2015 that helps create permanently affordable housing solutions, with a focus on co-operative housing. CLT builds new co-ops to Passive House standards and is a flagship initiative of CHF BC.
• COHO Management Services SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015COHO Management Services Society is a non-profit property management company with over 40 years of experience working with housing co-operatives. Both organizations share top-level leadership and report to the CHF BC Board of Directors.
• CHF CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHF Canada is the national federation that coordinates advocacy and programs for co-operative housing across Canada. CHF Canada AGM is held annually bringing together co-operative housing leaders from across the country.
• Housing CentralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing Central is a strategic alliance between CHF BC, BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA), and Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA). They support and advocate for the community housing sector so all British Columbians have safe, secure, affordable housing.
• Sanford Housing SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHF BC works in collaboration with Sanford Housing Society to address housing needs in the communities they support.
• Tikvah Housing SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHF BC partners with Tikvah Housing Society to address housing needs in the communities they support.
• M'akola Housing SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHF BC works in collaboration with M'akola Housing Society to address housing needs in the communities they support.
• McLaren Housing SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHF BC works with McLaren Housing Society to address housing needs. McLaren Housing Society operates the 981 Davie Street project alongside a co-op.
• QMUNITYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQMUNITY operates an expanded community resource centre at the CLT development at 981 Davie Street in Vancouver, offering services for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
• The Right Fit ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHF BC partners with The Right Fit to match available accessible co-op homes to those seeking accessible housing options.
• TELUSmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTELUS provides 40% discount on TV and Internet services to CHF BC member households. Over 3,500 members benefit from the telecom program. Also offers Koodo mobile plans and fall detection devices for seniors.
• RONAmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRONA provides 5-15% discounts on maintenance supplies, paint, tools, and hardware for member co-ops and resident members.
• Waste ConnectionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaste Connections provides waste, recycling, and organics services in Lower Mainland with up to 40% off retail rates. CNG-powered fleet supports lower emissions.
• GFL Environmental Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGFL Environmental provides recycling and environmental services on Vancouver Island with discounts up to 20%.
• Airlux Heating and Air ConditioningminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAirlux provides energy-efficient heat pumps for year-round comfort with up to 25% off retail rates. BC-owned and operated for over 16 years.
• Danube Kitchens Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDanube Kitchens offers full-service kitchen and bathroom renovations with 20-40% discounts for members.
• Bath FitterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBath Fitter provides custom acrylic bathroom solutions including bathtub liners and wall surrounds with up to 20% discount.
• Trail AppliancesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrail Appliances offers up to 20% below retail pricing on appliances with delivery and haul-away services.
• Australian Co-operative Housing AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational exchange partnership with Australian co-op housing organizations including Common Equity Housing Ltd, South East Housing Co-operative, Bank First, Bank Australia, and Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals.
• BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCNPHA and CHF BC are co-located in the Vancouver office, sharing resources and knowledge to better serve each organization's members and the community housing sector.
• Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHMA is part of the Housing Central strategic alliance working together to support and advocate for the community housing sector in BC.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Habitat for Humanity Canada: Habitat for Humanity is a major Canadian affordable housing developer with a volunteer-driven, community-ownership model that shares CHF BC's mission of expanding non-market housing. While it focuses on homeownership rather than co-op rental, it competes for the same donor, government, and volunteer pools.

Regional players

• Fédération des coopératives d'habitation du Québec: The Quebec federation of housing co-operatives is the direct French-Canadian analogue to CHF BC, serving a much larger membership base in Quebec. It is comparable in mission and member services but operates in a different province with a distinct co-op housing legal framework.
• Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA): ONPHA is the Ontario counterpart to BCNPHA, representing non-profit housing providers in Canada's largest province. It offers a directly comparable member-services and advocacy model but operates in a different provincial policy environment and does not directly compete with CHF BC.

Broad incumbents

• BC Housing: BC Housing is the provincial crown corporation that funds, regulates, and operates subsidized housing across British Columbia. It is both a funder/regulator of many housing co-ops and a competing provider of affordable housing, making it a broad incumbent in CHF BC's policy and operating environment.

Direct peers

• Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA): CHRA is the national association for the community housing sector in Canada, covering social, affordable, and co-op housing. It complements CHF Canada's co-op-specific mandate with broader sector representation, making it a parallel trade-association peer.
• BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA): BCNPHA is a sister provincial association representing non-profit housing providers in BC, co-located in CHF BC's Vancouver office and part of the Housing Central alliance. Both organizations serve overlapping member organizations and advocate for the community housing sector, making them the most directly comparable peer.
• Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA): AHMA represents Indigenous housing providers in BC and is the third member of the Housing Central strategic alliance alongside CHF BC and BCNPHA. It serves a distinct constituency but operates in the same community housing policy and member-services space in British Columbia.
• Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada): CHF Canada is the national federation of which CHF BC is a provincial member. It coordinates pan-Canadian advocacy, runs the Co-operative Pre-development Loan Fund, and co-owns Encasa Financial with Housing Services Corporation, making it the national-level counterpart to CHF BC.

Others

• Encasa Financial: Encasa Financial is a long-term investment fund manager co-owned by CHF Canada and Housing Services Corporation providing socially responsible investment options to the co-op housing sector. It is an ecosystem participant that extends the financial infrastructure CHF BC's members access.
• Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance: The Australian alliance is CHF BC's international knowledge-exchange partner, including Common Equity Housing Ltd, South East Housing Co-operative, Bank First, Bank Australia, and the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals. It is comparable in mission (sustaining and growing co-op housing) but operates across separate jurisdictions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chfbc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/coopsbc
• Facebookfacebook.com/coophousingbc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/co-operative-housing-federation-of-bc
• Instagraminstagram.com/chfbc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Co-Operative Housing Federation of British Columbia