Co-op housing is not public housing. Co-ops are self-governed, mixed-income communities, home to people of all ages and backgrounds. To function properly co-ops depend on the participation of its members, and willingness to participate is a strong determinant of how we select our new members. Co-ops are also about building and fostering a positive and inclusive community.

Sojourn is made up of various volunteer committees including membership, finance, social, maintenance, gardening, Co-op Advocacy, and the board of directors. All members are expected to participate in at least one committee. The committees meet monthly and on average co-op participation requires about 2h to 6h of work per month per adult member. Time varies depending on the committee.

It’s difficult to gauge that – it depends when someone moves out. For the past 5 years, on average we have been having a unit (usually 1 or 2 bedrooms) becoming available every 18 months (approximately). The best thing to do is submit your application and we will keep it on file. When a suite does come up for rent, the membership committe will select a dozen of candidates to attend an interview.

The process of admitting new members to Sojourn Housing Co-op is managed by the membership committee: a volunteer group of current co-op members. When a unit becomes available the committee carefully reviews all the active applications and selects a dozen of candidates to attend an individual hour-long interview with the committee. Because co-op living is based on community involvement and positive neighbourly relationships, prospective members are selected based on their willingness to positively contribute to our small community. We are seeking members whose values align with our mission and who are ready and able to participate. As a general rule, prospective members who fill out the 3rd page of the application outlining why they want to live in a co-op and what they can contribute tend to get invited to interviews more often than those who fail to fill that page.

Unfortunately, because demand is much greater than unit availability, a spot in the Member Selection Pool does not guarantee that everyone will eventually be offered a unit. On average, our Member Selection Pool has about 150 active applicants per unit size (that’s approx. 150 applicants for 1-bedrooms, 150 applicants for 2-bedrooms, etc.). Since co-op living is more than just affordable housing, with community participation being one of its core principles, our selection process is based primarily on fit rather than time spent in the Member Selection Pool.

If you believe co-op life is a good fit for you and are committed to making it happen, a helpful tip is to apply to multiple co-ops and ensure your application remains active. Due to the high demand for this type of housing, most co-ops keep applications active for one year, so it's important to stay on top of renewals. Most, if not all, of our current co-op members applied to several co-ops to increase their chances. For example, one member applied to 26 co-ops and received interview offers from three different co-ops within three years of applying.

Don’t let this information discourage you! Spots do become available. Keep in mind that co-ops are about community and active participation, and we’re always excited to offer a unit to someone who will contribute to our vibrant community. To improve your chances and stand out, be sure not to skip the third page of our application where you explain why co-op living is a good fit for you.

To search for other co-ops that currently accept applications, visit chf.bc.ca/find-co-op/

We are a small, diverse and friendly community embracing people of any age, culture, ability, gender, lifestyle, sexual orientation, religion, belief, income or family unit. We have about the same amount of young children as there are seniors in the building. In the summer or after school kids play together in the backyard while parents can catch up. We have a community room with an large outdoors patio and summer days members meet there to enjoy a BBQ meal with their neighbours. About 4 times a year, there are community events to mark special occasions. This is positive community and a beautiful place to call home.

There are 30-units at Sojourn, this includes:
1 bedrooms : 12 units
2 bedrooms : 15 units
3 bedrooms : 3 units

Residents do not own their individual units. You apply and are accepted into a unit, which is allocated to you based on the number of people that will be living in it. If the number of people living in a unit changes, you will still be able to stay at the co-op but may need to change units within the building. For example, one person cannot live alone in a two bedroom unit.

Sojourn was built in the early 80’s. The building is well maintained, but not fancy. Most units are carpeted, there is shared coin laundry on the main floor which has three washers and three dryers. Most units do not have dishwashers, but members can have one installed at their own expense.

Members can chose renovate, but any renovation work has to be reviewed and approved by the maintenance Committee. Examples of renovations that were approved by the maintenante Committee in the recent years : removing carpet and installing hard word floor, installing a dishwasher.

As of December 2020, susbsidies are not available. But there are 5 units that are currently subsidized and should one become available we maintain a waitlist for subsidized units.

The minimum household income required for a small 1-bedroom is $40,480 and $41,520 for a large 1-bedroom.
The minimum household income required for a small 2-bedrooms is $44,560 and $53,200 for a large 2-bedroom.
The minimum household income required for a 3-bedrooms is $61,920.

We will keep your application on file for one year, but there is one important date to keep in mind:
AUGUST 1ST OF EACH YEAR.

Every August, the membership committee audits all applications received over the past 12 months. To remain active in the Member Selection Pool, we ask that applicants who applied on or before March 31st submit an updated application form during July, ensuring it arrives by August 1st. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, those who do not submit an updated application by this date will, unfortunately, be removed from the Member Selection Pool.

Special Exception:
Applications dated between March 31st and August 1st will be kept on file until August 1st of the following year. An updated application will only be required by August 1st of that following year.

The monthly charge includes hydro. It does not include internet or cable.
Note : we have a co-op rebate on internet and basic high speed internet is available for co-op members starting at 35$

Yes, there is an underground parking for cars and bicycles

Each unit has a small storage locker available in a secure area of the parking garage.