Under the auspices of False Creek South Neighbourhood Association and its Re*Plan initiative, the boards of all housing co-ops on leased land met for their first Joint Board Committee meeting on February 21, 2015.
The following False Creek housing co-ops were represented: Creekview Housing Co-op, Alder Bay Housing Co-op, False Creek Housing Co-op, Marina Housing Co-op, TwinRainbows Housing Co-op, the Greater Vancouver Floating Home Housing Co-op as well as Heritage Housing Co-op. Guests from Connaught Housing Co-op, the Re*Plan Committee and the False Creek South Neighbourhood association were also present.
The purpose of this historic first meeting of all the Co-op Boards was for elected Directors to lay the groundwork for unified and authorized negotiations with the City of Vancouver for renewal of their Land Leases.
The directors agreed that they would meet regularly to discuss various issues of mutual concern and interest. Everyone felt that much can be learned through collaboration, and that a joint negotiation position will strengthen their voice. Co-op Board members present at the meeting represent approximately 600 out of 1800 households living on leased land in False Creek South, giving a powerful voice to this newly created body.
Another decision resulting from this meeting was to formally establish the Co-op Committee of Re*Plan as an authorized working group representing all the Boards of False Creek co-ops. Re*Plan and it’s Co-op Committee have developed expertise over the last two years with regards to co-op Operating Agreements and leases. Co-op demographics have been gathered, assessed and compared, and the committee has begun to identify important questions that will need to be addressed by the Joint Board Committee and the members of each co-op as they move forward in their negotiations with the City.
Re*Plan seeks to establish a common position for all leaseholders. While co-ops are one particular stakeholder group, Re*Plan takes an inclusive perspective that encompasses strata and non-profit leaseholders as well as co-ops. The Co-op Committee has now been authorized as the link between Re*Plan and False Creek South housing co-ops.
The co-op Directors present at this meeting also agreed to address the need for financing of the lease renewal process and concurred that they would discuss this matter with their respective Boards, Finance Committees, and members.
All members of housing co-operatives in the False Creek area that are affected by the end of Operating Agreements or the lease renewal process are invited to join the regular working group meetings every other Thursday
Re*Plan seeks to establish a common position for all leaseholders. While co-ops are one particular stakeholder group, Re*Plan takes an inclusive perspective that encompasses strata and non-profit leaseholders as well as co-ops. The Co-op Committee has now been authorized as the link between Re*Plan and False Creek South housing co-ops.
The co-op Directors present at this meeting also agreed to address the need for financing of the lease renewal process and concurred that they would discuss this matter with their respective Boards, Finance Committees, and members.
All members of housing co-operatives in the False Creek area that are affected by the end of Operating Agreements or the lease renewal process are invited to join the regular working group meetings every other Thursday. Please get in touch via *email is hidden, JavaScript is required* or connect with your co-op’s Board to find out more.