CHFV Co-operative Housing Sector Group

This Sector Group brings together workers and tenant members from the two co-operative housing programs that operate in Victoria. These are the Rental Housing Co-operative program (RHC) and the Common Equity Housing Co-operative program (CERC).

The Co-operative Housing Sector Group provides an opportunity for housing co-ops to share information, experience and resources. It also develops materials and training to assist workers and committee members in the running of their co-operatives.

The Housing Co-operative Sector Group:

• Creates a forum for the sharing of information resources and an opportunity for discussion of issues of interest to co-operative housing providers.
• Represents the collective view of Co-operative Housing members.
• Provides CHFV members and the CHFV Management Committee with information and insights in regard to the co-operative housing sector.
• Contributes to CHFV policy development and advocacy functions as they relate to provision of co-operative housing.
• Acts as a consultative mechanism for CHFV on co-operative housing issues.
• Monitors current government policy direction on co-operative housing provision.
• Negotiates with the Office of Housing on operational and policy issues.
• Collects data for CHFV about co-operative housing.
• Develops education and training resources for co-operative housing providers.

Membership

The Co-operative Housing Sector Group is open to members of the Federation. However, only Full Members are entitled to vote and each Full Member organisation is entitled to one vote. An elected convenor chairs the meetings and ensures that all issues raised are followed up.

Current Activities  

Common Membership Pool

On the 21st of August the Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne launched an Expression of Interest Agreement between Common Equity Housing Ltd (CEHL)and Rental Housing Cooperatives (RHCs) that will pave the way for the establishment of a Common Member Pool. CEHL will train potential cooperative members creating a 'pool' from which the RHCs can take referrals. This will mean a single entry point for those seeking to join a housing cooperative and save considerable coop resources.

Greg Flynn from South East Rental Housing Cooperative with the Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne

From left to right: Clive Summers (CEHL), Minister Wynne, Greg Flynn (SERHC)

John McInerney from Common Equity Housing (far right) and guests

Clive Summers reminded us about the prinicples informing coops in his speech:

"Principle 1 is Voluntary and Open Membership. So co-ops are here for anyone who wants to put in the energy and receive the benefits.

Principle 2 is Member Economic Participation. Just one of the reasons people often find co-op membership so empowering. And why the co-op sector is such a valuable part of the housing scene. Yes, it is about housing need but it is also about housing choice and about responsibility – taking control and making a better situation.

I’ll just mention just one more and that is Principle 7 - Concern for Community.  The co-operative housing sector has the power to be at the heart of a lively and diverse community. And could we be promoting more Australian values - a supportive community, economic autonomy, mutual support and respect? This agreement to run a joint waiting list – with training, information sharing, shared effort – represents everything that is good about co-operative housing. And in years to come, this sector will continue to provide opportunities for individuals and families to fully participate in their housing, their communities and Australian life. "

Sustainability

Two RMIT Environmental Management students have joined CHFV  to assist members with their sustainability needs. They will produce a new page on the CHFV website with sustainability facts and help, and are currently investigating some 'train the trainer' sessions for members.

Housing Provider Framework (HPF) Lease Overholding

Following concerns raised by CHFV, Minister Wynne advised at his quarterly meeting with CHFV in September that the Registration deadline will be extended until 30th June 2009. The Department then confirmed that HPF leases would be held over beyond the December expiry until 30th June 2009 if organisations have submitted a full registration application in 2008.

3 Year Statewide Upgrade Workplan

The Department has announced a decision to fund the upgrade of properties across the Co-op sector. The reviewed formulation of the 3 Year Asset Plan is derived from discussions and confirmation on priority properties with RHCs, the property condition reports and feasibility study reports.

Guidelines on disputes in co-op housing

The South Australian Office of Community Housing has put out some guidelines on disputes in co-op housing. These can be accessed:

http://www.communityhousing.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=405

External Appeals body for the co-operative sector

CHFV has completed its report on establishing a mechanism to resolve disputes within housing co-operative that occur between individual members and their co-operative. CHFV has now released the final report and is now in the process of advocating to the Office of Housing and Consumer affairs about the possibilities of establishing an appeals process for cooperative housing. You can access the report via the link below:

CHFV Ex-Appeals Project - Final Report 100706

Meetings  

Co-op Housing Sector Group meetings will be held from 10:30am - 12:30pm, on the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Meetings are usually held in the main board room of the CHFV offices (Level 5, 128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne).

Dates for 2010:

• 3 March
• 7 April
• 5 May
• 2 June
• 7 July
• 4 August
• 1 September
• 6 October
• 3 November
• 1 December

Convenors for the Co-operative Housing Sector Group rotate from the RHC program to the CERC program.

For further information please contact:  

Andrea Sharam 9654 6077 or andrea.sharam@chfv.org.au.