CHI Elections

CHI Board of Directors at ICA 2015 Congress in Antalya, Turkey.

The position of President and five at-large positions are up for election at CHI’s Plenary in Kuala Lumpur on November 14 at 14:00 (local time). The deadline for nominations is October 11, 2017. Interested candidates can submit a one-page biography and a letter of support from their organisation to jlapalme@chfcanada.coop.

Director responsibilities include:

• supporting members’ local efforts to secure the legal, financial and administrative arrangements the movement needs to flourish;
• working regionally and internationally to bring about conditions favourable to the movement’s growth;
• disseminating information on the movement and its success in creating sustainable human settlements in all parts of the world;
• joining with other branches of the co‑operative family to win recognition for the important role co‑operatives play in combating global poverty.

Directors serve either a four-year term or in some cases a two-year term and CHI board of directors meet in person twice a year, usually in conjunction with other events hosted by ICA, Housing Europe or other international housing conferences. Teleconference calls may be scheduled between meetings. Directors may also serve on committees or represent CHI with other organizations.

Conferences & Events

International Co-operative Alliance Global Conference and General Assembly

In less than two months, the global co-operative movement will meet in Kuala Lumpur to learn, experiment, network and explore. Hear renowned speakers Linda Yueh and Gro Harlem Brundtland give their take on global issues and the implications for co-operatives. Exchange with the leading researchers and professionals in co-operative thought leadership.

CHI Panel Discussion on Government Relations Strategies

November 14 at 15:00 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In the co-operative housing sector, government relations and public policy are important components of the work needed to effectively advance our issues. In conjunction with the  International Co-operative Alliance’s Global Conference and General Assembly please join CHI for an international roundtable discussion on critical strategies and approaches with experts from Australia, Canada, U.S.A., Poland, Germany and Chile, among others.

CHI & the North American Social Production of Habitat HUB @ Intersections 2017

October 9 – 12, 2017 – San Francisco, United States

Grounded Solutions Network (GSN) promotes housing solutions that remain affordable for generations so communities can stabilize and strengthen their foundation, for good. GSN is hosting

 ‘Intersections 2017’ in Oakland, California from October 9 to 12. At Intersections 2017, you’ll find people and programs devoted to lasting affordability and strong housing policies from community land trusts, habitat affiliates, inclusionary housing programs, local policymakers and advocates from across the country.

At Intersections 2017, Grounded Solutions Network is taking the lead as the North American hub for the Social Production of Habitat Platform in collaboration with CHI. Special thanks go to CHF Canada, CHF BC and the  Community Land Trust Foundation of BC for sponsoring conference scholarships. This event is an opportunity to elevate members and allies and their efforts to build and steward permanently affordable homes as international models of sustainable housing.

Leilani Farha, Special Rapporteur to the United Nations on the Right to Adequate Housing, will share the Shift Campaign, which ‘shifts’ the practice of community-led housing from the margins into the international spotlight, and asserts that it’s a key solution to our world’s affordable housing crisis.

2nd European Collaborative Housing Hub

The European Collaborative Housing Award is a public recognition of innovative and inclusive housing projects, able to inspire their peers and to influence housing policies, both locally and internationally. Selected projects will share their experiences at the Second European Collaborative Housing Hub during the Experimentdays17 in Berlin, on October 6.

National Association of Housing Co-operatives

The American National Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC) is holding its 57th Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, October 25 to 28. Seminars on lending, governance, marketing and operations are on offer and geared toward board members, managers and professionals servicing housing co-operatives. There is also a two-day Registered Co-operative Managers certificate program before the conference.

Membership News

Meet Jan Vyslouzil, New President of Union of Czech & Moravian Housing Co-operatives

CHI would like to congratulate Jan Vyslouzil, the new President of the Union of Czech & Moravian Housing Co-operatives. A mechanical and electrotechnical engineer by trade, he worked as a financial manager for a housing construction company for 12 years and became actively engaged in the co-operative housing movement in 1989. In 1999, Jan became Financial Manager and later General Manager of Skodovak Housing Co-operative (16,000 units) until the present time. He joined the Board of the Union of Czech & Moravian Housing Co-operatives in 2011 and became Vice-President in 2015. After the passing of former President and dear colleague, Jiri Barta, earlier this year, Jan was elected President. 

Co-operative Housing Worldwide

CHI launched its new website this spring and is currently updating information on housing co-operatives country by country on our interactive Co-operative Housing World wide page. We are collecting up-to-date information to ensure that data and background information on housing co-operatives from around the globe are available in one place. Accessing this information is essential for researchers and housing advocates to support their work. You can send information to jlapalme@chfcanada.coop.