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Toys and the Common Area

Submitted by Belle Auld and Rose Ing, Education Committee

At the January General Meeting, the Education Committee hosted a discussion about toys being left in the common area. Keeping the Co-op principals in mind, members decided to not pursue building an enclosure in the common area.

Instead we are asking that members not leave outgrown toys destined for donation in the common area. If you would like to donate a toy, please donate it to a specific parent so that we can avoid orphaned toys and keep our common area tidy.

Thanks

Apply for a Greener Co-op Microgrant

Submitted by Jackie Durrie

I thought the co-op might be interested in dreaming up or realizing a project in order to apply for this grant.

From Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada Website

Think green this spring! Apply for a Greener Co-op Microgrant

Would you like your co-op to have a positive impact on the environment? Want to decrease your consumption of non-renewable resources and save money while doing it?

Maybe you’d like to start a community garden, install a few rain barrels, or explore adding solar panels or a roof garden to your building? Maybe a little extra money could help you move your project forward.

The Greener Co-op Microgrant program was launched in 2016 and CHF Canada is offering it again for a third year. Projects that received funds in the past range from lighting retrofits, gardens, dual flush toilets, e-bike charging stations and bike storage, solar panels for powering gardening tools, and more.

This program will fund small projects – anywhere from $500 to $4,000 – that reduce greenhouse gases, improve air quality, help co-ops adapt to climate change and inspire others with best practices.

Funds are very limited, so apply early! Download the flyer and application form.  Once funds have run out, we will post a message on the program webpage.

Housing co-ops are eager to make their communities more sustainable and many co-ops like Corktown Co-operative Homes in Hamilton, Ontario expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to receive a microgrant: “On behalf of the co-op, thank you for the grant that allowed the co-op to provide security for the members’ bikes somewhere other than their units.”

Cougar Canyon Co-operative in Delta, BC installed exterior LED lights and shared this comment from its members: “Many members have commented on how bright it is and how pleased they are with the extra sense of security as well as the energy savings and lower costs to be seen on the co-op’s hydro bill.”

Rebecca Hunt, the Garden Project Coordinator for Westwood Co-op Place in Niagara Falls, ON spearheaded a community garden that brought more than vegetables.  This excerpt from Rebecca’s final report says it all: “In terms of community building, the garden became a space where people gathered almost on a nightly basis. Many people started new friendships and new interactions were made between neighbors.”

You can read more about the community garden and the other 13 projects with this list of 2017 microgrant recipients.

When CHF Canada’s staff, board and council travel across the country to visit our members we generate greenhouse gases. To make up for this, we have set aside funds that offset our carbon emissions – funds that can help green your co-op!  With additional contributions from the Agency for Co-operative Housing, CHF BC, Co-op Cost Cutters, and the Housing Services Corporation, CHF Canada’s Greener Co-op Microgrant helps co-ops implement projects that will make communities greener.

The Greener Co-op Microgrant application and reporting process is quick and easy. Qualified applications will be funded on a first-come-first-served basis while funds last. All CHF Canada member co-ops qualify except those that have already received a grant in previous years.

For more information, please contact Julie LaPalme at jlapalme@chfcanada.coop.

Help Plan Our 40th Birthday Party

Sunnyhill is turning 40jpg.jpg

Submitted by Rachel Rose

Guess who is turning 40 this year? This year marks Sunnyhill Housing Co-operatives 40th Birthday and we need help planning for this special birthday party! The Social Committee is putting together a  sub committee to plan for this special occasion. We will need help with everything from ideas, to logistical support, to grocery shopping. This is a great way to pitch in for just a short bit! If you would like to join please contact Rachel from the Social Committee in #807 or at rachelroseconsulting@gmail.com

Match the Photos

Photos and idea submitted by Cindy Schnee

Do you recognize any of these?  Match the Sunnyhill wintry scenes with their flowery doppelgangers.

Calling All Citizen Scientists

 

Submitted by Mia Rushton

The City of Calgary Parks department has launched a citizen science project to help identify and quantify the wild animals in our city spaces. Visit Calgary Captured to contribute and get a glimpse of the creature we share our parks with. 

Here are a few images I've come across recently:

A coyote, white tailed deer and a racoon.

 

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/calgary-captured/calgary-captured

 

Learning from others

Submitted by Jacky Durry

Hello,
This is how they keep making new co-ops in BC. This is the most recent of a series of new co-ops dating back to the athlete’s village from the winter 2010 Olympics.
A combination of setting up a land trust from CHFBC, a close relationship with other non-profit housing associations, hard work and good relations with the municipal government, a good relationship with a developer, who is willing to work with so many moving pieces, a co-op community and financing.

From the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC:

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Railyard Housing Co-op opens in Southeast False Creek community!

CHF BC and the Community Land Trust are proud to announce the opening of Railyard Housing Co-op at 95 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver.

The 15-storey 135-unit building was developed by Concert Properties as part of its 6.4 acre Southeast False Creek site, The Creek. The Community Land Trust was selected by the City to own and operate the site through the new Railyard Housing Co-op. A pre-registration list to apply to the new co-op filled quickly and the co-op is not currently accepting applications.

The new co-op’s focus will be on affordable homes for a mix of families with children and singles or couples. The unit mix includes 44 two-bedroom and 29 three-bedroom suites. The rest of the building is a mix of one bedroom and studio apartments. Some units have been designed for complete accessibility. The co-op also includes two in-home childcare units.  More than half of the co-op’s suites will be affordable to households with annual incomes between $25,000 and $55,000.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with the City and Concert Properties to offer so many affordable homes to families in the Southeast False Creek community," said Thom Armstrong, executive director of CHF BC and the Community Land Trust. "The community land trust model is an ideal fit with the City's new Housing Vancouver strategy, and we look forward to our next opportunity to work together."

CHF BC and the Community Land Trust welcome Railyard Housing Co-op and its new members to the co-op housing sector!

An interview with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Submitted by Jacky Durry

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Hey all,

Here’s a link that may interest you.

The recording of our popular webinar held last week with Adam Vaughan is now available online.

Adam Vaughan is the MP for Spadina-Fort York and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. As such, he is one of the key architects behind Canada’s new National Housing Strategy. He is also a strong advocate for co-operative housing.

Among several important topics he touched upon in this one-hour webinar, Vaughan said that eligible Section 95 housing co-ops will be hearing from CMHC about the 2018 subsidy extension in the next couple of weeks.

Asked by CHF Canada Director, Strategic Affairs Tim Ross about the potential for more co-op housing development, Vaughan said that co-ops should get into “build mode” and pitch for as much of the new federal funding as possible. "Co-ops don't have to replicate the previous model,” he added. "We're diversifying the toolkit and the financial supports to make a whole new generation of opportunities materialize."

CHF Canada thanks Adam Vaughan for this open and helpful discussion with housing co-op members and supporters.

Cheers,

Jacky

The Social Committee Wants Your Feedback…

garage-sale.jpg

What: Sunnyhill Garage Sale

When: Saturday, May 12 (The busiest day of the CBC Book Sale at the Curling Club!)

Who: Sunnyhill will provide tables. Any member who would like to participate can sign up for a table or choose to share a table with another member depending on their needs. Each table will then be responsible for setting up and managing sales. Any money made will be for the members to keep.

One table will be reserved for donations of quality items. A group of volunteers will manage this table and all of the profits will then be put back into the Social Committee fund and/or donated to charity. Anything not sold will then be donated to charity.

Where: Two locations: The Circle Garden & the Sidewalk on 3rd street across from the Curling Club (we will ask for volunteers on 3rd street who don’t mind having the sidewalk and/or driveway used for this.)

How: The Social Committee will provide signage and advertise the sale. We will also manage table sign up, distribution and the donation table.

What do you think?

Please share any questions, concerns, or feedback with anyone from the Social Committee.

Social Committee Update

Submitted by Rachel Rose

Are You Interested in Playing Board Games? 

The Social Committee is starting a monthly board game club. All levels of interest and skill are welcome to join! If you would like to learn more please email the Social Committee Chair Rachel at Rachelroseconsulting@gmail.com or call at 587-433-9386. 

Join the Social Committee for a St. Patricks Day Pub night at the Curling Rink. Watch the website, look for the posters, and keep an eye on the facebook group for official date and time once they have been determined. We hope you can join us for a fun relaxed evening!

Buildings Committee Update

Submitted  by Andrea Bergen

The Buildings Committee would like to welcome Nathan Erickson of #12 Sunnyhill Lane to the Committee, we are very glad to have him.

The Committee continues to meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Always looking for new Members to join the Committee.

The Buildings Committee has purchased 6 space heaters for use if Members have furnace issues that cannot be rectified immediately. These heaters are located in the garage. The Emergency Buildings Committee Member have a key to the garage and their contact information can be found on the phone list. Please also remember to never leave space heaters unattended.

Calgary Aging in Place Cooperative (CAIP)

Information submitted by Belle Auld on behalf of the Education Committee

Some of us senior Sunnyhill residents may be interested in the services that this (relatively) new co-op – the Calgary Aging in Place Cooperative – offers.

Here is information from their website (http://www.calgaryaginginplace.ca):

“Essentially, our role at CAIP is to find services needed to stay in your own home. Whether it is house cleaning, handy persons, snow removal, lawn-care, a plumber or an electrician, we find the services for you. Then, we negotiate the best rate possible.”

CAIP services that Sunnyhill residents may be interested in include:

  • House cleaning service
  • Yard work and landscaping
  • Home maintenance or renovations such as carpentry work, painting and flooring
  • Junk removal
  • Home safety evaluations and upgrades.

Services are then billed to you by CAIP - not directly from the service provider.

Membership with the Calgary Aging in Place Cooperative is $60.00/year.

Here is a link to the membership form:
http://www.calgaryaginginplace.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CAIP-Membership-Application-Form.pdf

Their phone number is 403-774-7247.

Another service offered through CAIP is the Personal Injury Prevention for Seniors. Information on their website says:

“It is a FREE educational and interactive offering, featuring information for seniors on stretching for longevity, how to safely enter or exit a tub or shower, standing defensively, and carrying items without strain or injury. Book now by email pips@calgaryaginginplace.ca

The 60 or 90 minute program is free of charge to groups of 20 or more. For information about CAIP or to book your program contact us by phone 403-774- 7247 ext 1 or by email at pips@calgaryaginginplace.ca.”

Planning and Development Committee Update

Submitted by Phil Cox

Our mortgage pre-payment application has been submitted to CMHC.  With the help of Communitas, we made the deadline of February 1st.  

If  successful, Sunnyhill will be free of its original mortgage that came with a high interest rate. 

Of course we still have principal to pay and that will happen through financing from First Calgary Financial.  It is the margin between the interest we have paid up to now (a little lower than 10%) and the interest on the new financing (closer to 3%) that is the savings to us.  

We have the option to borrow additional funds to help pay for the upgrades we want for Sunnyhill, but we are a bit limited at the moment in what we can borrow because of the time horizon on our lease.  

So, about the lease;  On February 1st, we met with Councillor Druh Farrell, her team and representatives of their leasing department and Calgary Housing (the City’s own corporation mandated to provide safe and affordable housing solutions).  

We are excited by the outcome.  Here are the main points:

  • Our lease is clear in stating that the land is to be returned to “commercial”.
  • As it happens, there are alternatives where land agreements are being made to satisfy City goals
  • Calgary Housing has mapped out affordable housing needs in the City (including in Sunnyside) and Sunnyhill shows up
  • The study also shows a deficit of affordable housing stock in Sunnyside
  • Calgary Housing can make land available at under market rates based on an affordability formula that takes into consideration two things: a)  rent in comparison to market thresholds, b) number of households requiring affordable housing
  • We do very well on the first criteria, our housing charges are well under market values for this part of Calgary even at the surcharge end of our subsidy-surcharge continuum.   
  • What complicates things from their perspective is that living here is also a lifestyle choice.  And the very idea that we choose to operate a voluntary subsidy surcharge system is, well, unique
  • All this to say that, as a housing cooperative, we don’t quite fit the affordable housing mold; a getting acquainted process is clearly needed

So that is where we are at today.  Druh suggested the process of building a case and getting a request before City of Calgary could take as long as a year.   The good news is that we have a strategy to do just that and with all the key players in the City on side. 

Next up… we need to clarify our options under the National Housing Strategy.  There are two parts to this.  One is to understand whats available, the other is to figure out what we want.  We have Communitas with us for a few more weeks to help us through these steps.  Stay tuned.

Notes from the Building Committee

Submitted by Andrea Bergen

The Buildings Committee is aware that some of the eavestroughs have been failing lately however due to the weather there is not much that can be done until it warms up. There has been extra money added to the 2018 budget request to make the required repairs.

As a note: There are several containers around the co-op that contain gravel in them and can be used on the ice so that it’s not so slippery and dangerous.

The Buildings Committee is always looking for new Members to join us. If you are interested in attending a meeting to see if this Committee is the right one for you the next meeting is on February 21st at 6:00pm in the Sunnyhill office.

Report on the Potential Member Orientations

Submitted by Belle Auld for the Education Committee

The Education Committee organized and hosted two Potential Member Orientations in November. We did the orientations a new way this time – thanks to Patrick Nicholson for the idea.  Instead of people sitting in a large group and listening to us talk, we had people circulate, round table style, to sit and listen to representatives from the different Sunnyhill committees talk about the Co-op and their committees.

This worked well. Twenty people filled out evaluation forms and the response was great: everyone who answered the evaluation said they found the orientation helpful. We asked several other questions and had people rate the orientation on a scale of 1 – 10 (ten being the best).

  • The information available – all responses were between 8 – 10. Fourteen people rated the orientation at 10 – the best.

  • The way the information was presented – all responses were between 8 – 10. Thirteen people rated the orientation at 10.

Comments included:

  • “I like the format you’ve chosen – personable, easy to ask questions, tailored, etc.”

  • “Rotation of table for different topics is a great way to meet the different committees and have some closer (one-on-one) kind of interaction and have our questions answered”

  • “Subgroup presentation was helpful, informative”

Thanks to the following committee members for representing Sunnyhill so well: JP, Mark, Phil, Jane, Janice, David, Bob, Pam, Buzz, Marzena and of course Andrea. (Apologies if I have missed anyone…)


 

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