Residents of a Thornhill housing co-op recently lost their legal battle against York Region to keep control of their community.
“It devastated us,” said Jim Common, president of the Thornhill Green Co-op.
“I’m deeply disappointed with the decision.” In 2006, York Region placed the 101-unit co-op, located at Yonge Street and Royal Orchard Boulevard, into receivership.
The region was brought in by the co-op board for help after property repairs depleted funds. In May 2008, residents were notified that the region would be buying the homes. With support from the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, community residents fought to retain control of their community.
Harvey Cooper, manager of government relations with the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, said the recent decision has prompted questions and concerns from other co-operatives. This is the first time that a non-profit co-op has been purchased by a region against the wishes of its resident. In the short time the region has been in control of the co-op, the property has started to fall into disarray, Common said.
“It’s not for the betterment of the co-op or the property,” he said. “It’s simply to grab a very, very valuable asset of land at no cost.” Common, a real estate agent for Re/Max, said similar properties in the area had sold in the 20-$50 million range. While rents will remain the same, residents costs are rising, Common said.
Roughly 30 residents were handed bills for maintenance and repair fees recently — services previously provided at no cost by the co-op.
Murray Klippenstein, lawyer for the federation, said the decision could have an impact in similar future cases. “It’s a possibly negative precedence against housing co-ops,” he said. Sylvia Patterson, general manager of housing and long term care for York Region, said that there are currently no plans for redevelopment.