Sharing the Challenges and the Rewards of Converting to Co-operative Ownership

(presentation podcasts and images below)

Speaker: Jorge Sousa, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta

Issues related to housing and homelessness have gained a prominent place on the policy agenda for all levels of government. While the call to build new affordable housing is certainly welcome, and long overdue, there has been a notable absence of planning for the type of community envisioned for these new properties. It is my belief that any discussion of new affordable housing must include more than a focus on bricks and mortar. We need to highlight the need to establish a foundation to enable individuals and families to build a sense of community. Co-operative ownership within a housing context is intended to ensure that managing housing includes a community building focus. In this presentation I will discuss the challenges and rewards of co-operative housing development by using examples of conversion processes and new developments.

Time: Thursday, February 7th, 1:00 – 2:00 pm.
Location: University of Victoria David Strong Building, Room C126

Dr. Jorge Sousa currently teaches in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University
of Alberta. His PhD research at the University of Toronto was in the conversion of public housing to 
tenant-managed co-operatives and was in conjunction with the conversion of Alexandra Park Public 
Housing to the Atkinson Housing Co-operative. Jorge’s research interests include: learning styles 
and social processes in Social Economy organizations; community governance models; building 
community capacity using audio/visual technology; community development; community economic 
development; housing policy; popular education and local  democracy movements. Jorge is currently 
working with Community-Based Organizations in Edmonton to develop learning partnerships that 
accounts for the different needs of learners within the University and Learners within these 
organizations.  

This presentation is part of the BC Institute for Co-operative Studies/Canadian Social Economy Hub 2008 Winter Speakers Series

This series features presentations by UVic academics and graduate students and visiting faculty and practitioners discussing topics related to Co-operatives and the Social Economy. These presentations are free and open to all members of the public and university community.

Click here to see photos of this event.

Click below to listen to an audio file of this event. Note that when you are listening to the audio file, there is a pause. This is where Jorge Sousa shows a video produced by Atkinson Co-op members. This section of the audio file has been removed.