Solidarity housing cooperative · North Shore of Montreal
Building together
a housing cooperative
made for families.
We are launching a solidarity housing cooperative on the North Shore of Montreal: a community designed for families, affordable and safe, where mutual aid and social diversity are at the heart of daily life. We are building this project with and for the people who want to get involved.
No financial commitment at this stage. We are forming the founding group.
The project
A project guided by values
A housing cooperative belongs to its members. No shareholders, no speculation: decisions and rents stay in the hands of the people who live there.
Affordable
Rents within members' reach, sheltered from speculation.
Accessible
Spaces designed for everyone, planned with the people concerned.
Supportive
Mutual aid between members as the driving force of the community.
Democratic
One member, one vote: the cooperative belongs to its members.
What we are working to build, together: a home that does not vanish at the next lease.
We build with and for
Who can get involved
We want a family-friendly and deeply inclusive community. Do you recognize yourself in one of these profiles? Your place is here.
Families
A community designed for families: adapted spaces, a supportive neighbourhood and mutual aid between households.
Seniors
To break isolation, stay active in the community and grow older surrounded by others.
People with disabilities
For accessible, adapted homes that support day-to-day autonomy.
Single-parent families
To support one another: shared childcare, moral support and work-life balance.
Supporting members and allies
Neighbours, professionals and organizations who believe in the project and want to contribute.
The community
What we want to build
Illustrative images, generated to convey the spirit of the project. The cooperative is not built yet and the land is still to be found.
A courtyard that belongs to everyone
Gardens, play, benches. Children play, parents breathe.
Accessible from the front door
Gentle ramp, wide doors, snow removal planned ahead.
A room to gather in
Meetings, celebrations, homework, shared meals.
Getting through winter together
Energy-efficient homes and neighbours who look out for each other.
Our needs
We need your skills
A cooperative is built with the talents of its members. Whatever your trade or experience, you surely have something to offer. Here are skills that are especially useful at the start.
- Construction and building trades
- Accounting and finance
- Law and notarial services
- Project management
- Architecture and design
- Care and social services
- Communications and writing
- Community organizing
- IT and web
- Grants and fundraising
Target area
Where we are looking for land
We are focused on the North Shore of Montreal. Nothing is settled yet: the choice will be made with the group, based on available land and how municipalities respond.
- Laval
- Terrebonne
- Repentigny
- Mascouche
- Blainville
- Boisbriand
- Sainte-Thérèse
- Rosemère
- Lorraine
- Bois-des-Filion
- Saint-Eustache
- Deux-Montagnes
- Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac
- Mirabel
- L'Assomption
- Charlemagne
Timeline
The upcoming steps
A cooperative project is built step by step, with specialized partners. Here is our road map.
Now
Form the founding group
Bring together a first motivated group and share a common vision. This is where we are.
Soon
First informal meeting
A coffee or virtual gathering to get to know each other and share our ideas.
Step 3
Contact a technical resource group (GRT)
A GRT provides free support to develop the project: feasibility, land, financing, legal incorporation.
Step 4
Feasibility and land search
Feasibility study and outreach to North Shore municipalities to find land.
Step 5
Legal incorporation of the cooperative
Official incorporation with Quebec's enterprise registrar under the Cooperatives Act.
Step 6
Financial structuring
Funding through the Quebec Affordable Housing Program (SHQ), CMHC and members' contributions.
Later
Construction and move-in
Carrying out the project, setting up community life and members moving in.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask us
What is a solidarity housing cooperative?
It is a building owned collectively by its members, who are both tenants and stewards of the project. The solidarity model brings together three kinds of members: those who live there, those who work with the co-op, and supporting members. One member, one vote, whatever the category.
Where is the project right now?
At the very beginning. We are forming the founding group. There is no land yet, no plans, no move-in date. Everything shown here as a living environment is an illustrative image.
Does it cost me anything now?
No. Filling out a membership request carries no financial commitment. A social share and a contribution will come later, once the cooperative is incorporated, and the group will decide the amount.
How much will rents be?
We do not know yet and we will not put a number forward. Rents will depend on the land, the financial structure and the programs used, notably the Quebec Affordable Housing Program (SHQ) and CMHC. The goal is that they stay affordable and sheltered from speculation.
Do I have to live on the North Shore to take part?
Not to support the project: supporting members can come from anywhere. To live there one day, you need to want to live on the North Shore of Montreal, which is where we are looking for land.
Who can become a member?
Families, seniors, people with disabilities, single parents, as well as supporting members and allies who want to contribute without necessarily living there.
I have no construction skills, am I still useful?
Yes. A cooperative needs accounting, law, communications, organizing, management, care work, IT, and people simply ready to give time. Tell us what you can do in the form.
What is a technical resource group (GRT)?
It is a non-profit organization that supports groups like ours free of charge: feasibility study, land search, financial structuring and legal incorporation. Contacting one is part of our next steps.
Is my personal information protected?
Yes. Your contact details are used only to reach you about this project, in line with Quebec's Law 25. You can ask to see or remove them at any time by writing to info@cooprivenord.ca.
Membership request
Ready to build your community?
Leave us your contact information and tell us what you can bring. As soon as we are a few more, we will invite you to our first informal meeting.
No financial commitment at this stage. You are simply expressing your interest in helping found the cooperative.