How to tackle the crisis in rental housing
Government must invest in the best options: co-op and non-profit housing.

When Housing Minister Rich Coleman unveiled the government's new housing strategy earlier this month, he missed a golden opportunity to address the biggest problem in British Columbia's hot real estate market -- the dwindling supply of affordable rental housing. Instead, Coleman introduced a new rental assistance program, featuring portable housing allowances for low-income working families...Coleman should take immediate steps to increase the supply of affordable housing by investing in a new co-op and non-profit housing program.

Martin advocates social solutions to African poverty
The concept of social economy developed in Canada could help people in many African nations to climb out of poverty, says former prime minister Paul Martin.

See also:

• Social economy ideas can help defeat African poverty

• Africa can benefit from Canadian model of social economy, ex-PM says

• Martin pushes 'social economy' to combat African poverty

Habitat for Humanity Montreal announces new build site and launches the first Quebec ReStore
Habitat for Humanity Montreal announced today the first construction project in east-end Montreal and also officially opened Habitat's 50th ReStore in Canada and the first in Québec, located in the LaSalle borough of Montreal. They also announced that they have received a donation of $360,000 over the next three years from long time Habitat for Humanity supporters: Genworth Financial Canada, a leading mortgage insurance provider, retailing giant Home Depot Canada, and MCAP, Canada's largest independent mortgage and equipment financing company.

Council votes to release $1 M to struggling co-op
The Mountain Haven Co-operative Homes project remains alive, despite the fact the housing co-op has only been able to secure 21 buyers who will actually qualify to live in the long-awaited affordable housing project in Three Sisters. Town council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the town releasing $1.05 million in provincial grant cash to the co-op, which has been struggling to get its project built.

Co-op movement boosts over 20 new startups
Over 20 new co-ops ranging from equity funds to a medical clinic have started in Nova Scotia this year. "It is a time of incredible growth for the co-op movement in Nova Scotia," said Dianne Kelderman, CEO of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, the development arm of the co-operative and credit union system in the province. "There’ve been over 20 new co-operatives incorporated in the last 12 months alone in sectors ranging from agriculture to light manufacturing."