Many Canadians have turned to housing co-ops for a secure, affordable home in a community setting. It doesn’t matter who you are: if you want to live in a co-op and are ready to accept the terms of membership, you’re welcome.

Housing co-operatives exist for their members’ common benefit. Like other co-operatives they promote individual responsibility, mutual help, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, co-ops try to embody the ethical values of honesty, openness and concern for others and for the wider society. Housing co-operatives pursue their aims and give expression to their values by acting on seven principles. These principles date back to the 1840s and the Rochdale Pioneers, but they were last revised in 1995 by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). They guide the co-operative movement throughout the world.