Co-op Living

Cooperative living at Brighton Yards offers members the opportunity to take ownership in their community. We provide affordable housing for ourselves. Housing charges go directly toward the mortgage, taxes and operating costs of the community; there is no landlord who profits. Through member participation and engagement , Brighton Yards operates as a safe, inclusive, diverse, empowering, democratic community.

Voluntary and Open Membership

Co-operatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.

Democratic Member Control

Co-operatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary co-operatives members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and co-operatives at other levels are also organized in a democratic manner.

Member Economic Participation

Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing their co-operative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the co-operative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.

Autonomy and Independence

Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.

Education, Training and Information

Co-operatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives. They inform the general public – particularly young people and opinion leaders – about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

Co-operation among Co-operatives

Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Concern for Community

Co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

In a housing co‑op members have the right to:

• Vote on the annual budget, which sets the monthly housing charges
• Elect a board of directors made up of people who live in your co‑op
  Run for the board of directors yourself
• Receive audited financial statements that show how the co‑op spent your money
• Pay only a limited portion of your income for your housing, if you meet eligibility rules
• Live there for as long as you like, if you keep to the by-laws agreed on by the co‑op membership