Can a resident be a member of a non-profit housing society? What about housing co-operatives?

Yes, if your bylaws allow it, a resident can be a member of a non-profit housing society, because non-profit operating agreements do not prevent residents from being society members. But membership cannot be a requirement for being housed in a development.

Even though residents who become Board members are technically in a conflict of interest, this conflict is allowed under our guidelines. See page 23 in chapter two of the Governance Guide for information on residents as directors or officers.

Housing co-operatives require people to become members to live in a co-operative development. Co-operatives are jointly owned and managed by members, who participate in decision-making and share responsibility for running the co-operative.

Refer to pages 7 and 13 in the Administration section of the Operations Guide for more information on residents as society and co-operative members.