Non-profit and co-operative housing

Housing Services provides support and legislative direction to non-profit and co-operative housing corporations across Niagara, helping deliver diverse and creative affordable housing solutions.

51

Non-profit and co-operative housing corporations in Niagara

3,166

Total units across all corporations

700+

Units under the Rent Supplement Program

How rent-geared-to-income is calculated

About 25 per cent of units are designated as market rent. The remaining 75 per cent are offered to households that pay rent geared to their income. This is calculated as 30 per cent of the household's gross income, plus parking (if applicable), with an adjustment for the cost of utilities.

Non-profit and co-operative housing descriptions

Non-profit corporations

Privately owned
Operated by an elected board of directors from the community at large
Governed by non-profit by-laws and legislation, including the Residential Tenancies Act

Co-operative housing corporations

Owned and managed by the members who live in the units
Operated by an elected board of directors from residents who live in the building(s)
Members volunteer their time to help run their co-operative
Governed by applicable legislation, their own by-laws, and the Co-operatives Corporations Act
By-laws and restrictions about pets vary among individual co-operatives

Roles and responsibilities

Tenant / member

Households who need rent-geared-to-income accommodation must apply to Housing Services
Households who can afford to pay the market rent / housing charge can apply directly to the social housing provider
Must abide by the policies and bylaws of that social housing provider
Must pay their rent / housing charge by the first of every month
Must comply with applicable legislation, such as the Housing Services Act 2011 and Residential Tenancies Act 2006

Social housing provider

Must comply with all applicable legislation and Housing Services local policies
Must establish policies and procedures to ensure effective management of their operations
The social housing provider board has a fiduciary responsibility for the financial operations and must put in place financial and management controls that preserve the provider's assets
Must fill rent-geared-to-income vacancies from Housing Service's wait list according to Housing Services local policies and established legislation
Must report to Housing Services on an annual basis

Housing Services

Administers the Affordable Housing Program in Niagara
Conducts regular operational reviews on all social housing providers to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and to share best business practices
Determines, calculates and approves subsidy payments to social housing providers
Provides training and support to social housing provider boards and staff
Conducts financial and other investigations
Establishes local policies
Develops and implements strategies to ensure social housing provider assets are maintained in the long term

Housing profile

There are 51 non-profit and co-operative housing corporations in Niagara.

25 non-profit corporations - 1,614 units
26 co-operative corporations - 1,552 units

These communities are operated on a not-for-profit basis and governed by boards of directors who are responsible for the ownership and management of their buildings.