In January of 2026, HOME-RL, The Range, and 5 fourth-year students in Dr. Woodhall-Melnik's Community Research Seminar came together and collaborated to understand the importance of Housing Co-operatives in their community.  

By surveying just under half of the members living at the range, we tried to understand member priorities for housing, neighborhood, and investment at the Range Co-operative. We learned the importance of affordable housing during times of housing crisis, and the Range served as a stable, suitable, and affordable place within the community with the average housing tenure being over 12 years. An overwhelming majority of members found the range safe, affordable and stable, with very few noting a desire to move.  

This report highlights the critical role of housing co-operatives in addressing the housing crisis and shows us once again that non-market housing models can protect individuals against market speculation and housing precarity. The positive sentiments around living in Co-operative housing demonstrate a rich history of community building, affordability, and the strength of the co-operative model.  

If you wish to read the full report, click here. 

By Ghazal Motamedi

Ghazal (she/her) is an incoming Doctor of Medicine student at Dalhousie University, New Brunswick. Her research interests are in the social determinants of health and the intersection of housing and reproductive health.