Cape Breton used to be a leader in co-operatively built housing and co-operatively owned rental housing. Housing co-ops offer a path to home ownership for people who may not be able qualify for a mortgage or to afford a large enough down-payment on their own. Co-operatively owned rental housing usually offer below-market rates for their renters and more stable rental agreements than typical landlord-owned rentals.
Co-ops can fill gaps in our social safety nets. Municipal leaders can assist in proposing governance solutions to making CBRM more friendly to co-operative housing developments, both co-operatively owned rentals and co-operatively built houses. Housing is a CBRM election issue and a crisis that requires multiple solutions.
Potential brainstorming:
Tax credits for co-op housing
Discounts and staff support for co-op groups needing to pull permits, seeking to understand the Building Code and their responsibilities.
Support choosing and accessing CBRM's (in development) housing plans.
History of Housing Co-operatives in Unama'ki-Cape Breton:
The first housing co-op in Canada was created right here in Reserve Mines in 1938 by a group of miners.
Housing co-ops by working class families in Whitney Pier, report by Elizabeth Beaton
Existing Housing Co-op Rentals:
Golden Pond Housing Co-operative, Sydney Mines, NS B1V 2Y5
Nova Heights Continuing Housing Co-op Ltd., 15 Stuart Street, Sydney, NS B1P 6Y8
Tower Heights Housing Co-operative, 77 Stuart Street, Sydney, NS B1P 6Y8
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