Posts Tagged ‘Housing Co-operatives’

Client Profile: Mondragon Co-operative Homes Inc.

March 20th, 2014 by Iler Campbell

Mondragon Co-operative Homes Inc. is a housing co-operative located in Brampton, Ontario which has been providing affordable housing since 1983. Mondragon consists of seventy eight townhouse units ranging in size from one to four bedroom units in a beautifully landscaped neighbourhood complete with a park and community room.

Our relationship with Mondragon goes back to 2007 and in that time we have dealt with a number of corporate and member issues. Our relationship has strengthened however in the last few months. Starting in 2011, Mondragon volunteered to participate in a pilot program with Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada and Alterna Credit Union with the support of its property management company, Homestarts, to refinance its existing mortgage with CMHC to provide funding for repair and upgrades to its building envelopes (foundation walls, siding, insulation, doors, windows and roofs) as well as to its furnaces and walkways.  Continue reading “Client Profile: Mondragon Co-operative Homes Inc.”

Iler Campbell at Golden Horseshoe Winter Workshop

February 5th, 2014 by Lauren Blumas

The Golden Horseshoe Co‑operative Housing Federation hosted its annual housing Winter Workshop conference on January 25, 2014. Despite the weather, the turnout was impressive. The workshops covered a range of practical topics including re‑financing, member participation, arrears, the duty to accommodate (presented by Iler Campbell) and the legal implications of hoarding (presented by Iler Campbell).

Continue reading “Iler Campbell at Golden Horseshoe Winter Workshop”

Co-op housing eviction reform bill passes third reading

September 25th, 2013 by Celia Chandler

Bill 14, which will reform the evictions process for co-operative housing passed its third reading on Tuesday and will be brought into force at a date to be determined. The law will take co-op evictions out of the courts and place them under the umbrella of the LTB.

Reaching this point, has taken a long time. MPP Michael Prue, speaking on Monday, recalled its genesis in 2004 and the many roadblocks it has faced along the way:

Between the time when it was promised by the government [2007], we’ve had prorogations, we’ve had elections being called, we’ve had bills reintroduced, we’ve had stalling, we’ve had filibusters, we’ve had everything else you can possibly imagine, only to come full circle today, where everybody is in approval of it.

MPP Bob Delaney perhaps summarized many people’s feelings when he said “It’s now time to stop hearing the sound of our voices in the Legislature, get this bill to committee, get it passed and get it enacted.”

As they were throughout these long years, CHF Ontario officials were present for the debate.

 

Client Profile: Bethune Housing Co-operative Inc.

August 26th, 2013 by Iler Campbell
Bethune Housing Co-operative in Gravenhurst

Bethune Housing Co-operative in Gravenhurst

Bethune Housing Co‑operative Inc. is the only non-profit housing co‑operative in Gravenhurst, Ontario.  Bethune’s 31 units are in a low rise building surrounded by trees on the edge of beautiful Muskoka.  Incorporated in 1991, Bethune is a modern building with many fully accessible units, helping to fill a need for affordable housing in this part of Ontario.

Working through its Co‑ordinator and now a property management company, Bethune’s board has called on Iler Campbell LLP for advice primarily on member issues since 2000.  And despite the miles between Gravenhurst and Toronto, we’ve been just a phone call or email away.

Co-op housing eviction reform bill passes 2nd reading

May 22nd, 2013 by Celia Chandler

As PC MPP Peter Shurman noted at Queen’s Park on May 14, 2013, Bill 14, which will reform the evictions process for co-operative housing, took a whopping 15 hours and 36 minutes of debate time in the Ontario Legislative Assembly, but the bill has finally moved to the Legislative Assembly committee for fine‑tuning.   CHF representatives were there and I’m sure will continue to be there throughout to make sure that the sector’s goals are met.

We’re watching this Bill’s progress carefully so that we’re prepared to help our co‑op clients make the transition from one eviction system to another.

In the meantime, we’re working hard with our co‑op clients when they make difficult decisions to evict members who are not meeting the community standard of behaviour.  Our experience at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) tells us that the same issues will apply when co‑ops are under their umbrella:  LTB decision‑makers must weigh issues of fairness and human rights in the same way that Superior Court justices do.   Removing someone’s housing is a decision no‑one ‑‑ from Co‑op Board members to landlords and to decision‑makers ‑‑ wants to make.  We applaud the careful attention that all of these groups must and do give.

Co-op Eviction Reform back on the agenda at Queen’s Park

March 20th, 2013 by Celia Chandler

Last October’s prorogation of the legislature stalled the much‑anticipated co‑operative housing eviction reform bill.   Building on the momentum this issue had in the fall session, just a few short days after the new session began, Bill 14, the eviction reform bill, was given first reading (February 27, 2013).

Continue reading “Co-op Eviction Reform back on the agenda at Queen’s Park”