OTTAWA, November 7, 2025 — Canada’s housing cooperatives have welcomed the federal government’s continued emphasis on housing in Budget 2025, calling the latest commitments a positive step towards addressing the country’s ongoing affordability crisis.
As Canadians continue to struggle with record housing costs, the sector says that building more homes people can truly afford remains essential to resolving the crisis.
In particular, housing cooperatives have praised the government for recognising the importance of expanding non-market housing — including cooperative housing — through the new Build Canada Homes initiative. With a strong pipeline of projects already under way across the country, the cooperative housing sector says it is well positioned to partner with Build Canada Homes to deliver more coop housing at scale, building on the success of the Cooperative Housing Development Programme and other initiatives.
“We welcome the federal government’s continued commitment to building the next generation of coop homes,” said Tim Ross, Chief Executive Officer of the Cooperative Housing Federation of Canada [CHF Canada]. “To realise this vision within the timeframe the crisis demands, it will be essential to understand the investment framework of Build Canada Homes as soon as possible and to ensure it is adequately resourced. We look forward to working with the federal government to help deliver on the goals of Build Canada Homes.”
The cooperative sector also acknowledged the C$2.8 billion committed in Budget 2025 for urban, rural and northern housing for Indigenous communities. CHF Canada reaffirmed its support for Indigenous housing providers and their vision for Indigenous-led cooperative and non-profit housing, emphasising that the investment must advance Reconciliation through a for Indigenous, by Indigenous approach, developed in partnership with an urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing delivery organisation.
However, the budget made no mention of the Federal Community Housing Initiative [FCHI], which is due to end in 2028. FCHI enables coops to operate as mixed-income communities by bridging the gap between break-even coop housing charges [rents] and what low-income households can afford. CHF Canada noted that compared to the costs of supporting these same households in the private rental market — or the social cost of homelessness — FCHI delivers significant savings to government. The federation said it will continue to work with the federal government to ensure the continuation of rental assistance and to advocate for its expansion to new coops developed under Build Canada Homes.
“Coop housing is built to last,” CHF Canada added. “With strong public support, proven affordability, and new projects ready to go, the cooperative housing sector stands ready to partner with government to deliver homes that meet immediate needs and build lasting communities.”
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