Forest City Housing Co-Operative Inc

Forest City Housing Co-operative Inc.

20-200 Banbury Road

London, Ontario

N5Z 4R9

(519) 204 1221

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• Review our website for important information at

• Complete the application form in full, including the signed consents, ID and hydro form

• Pay the non-refundable application fee of $25.00 per applicant for any one over the age of 16 years old.

• Provide proof of income

*All three of these items must be received by the housing coordinator prior to an application file being opened for processing.

Completed applications are processed by the co-op as follows:

1. A credit and reference check is completed by the housing coordinator. All credit and banking information is kept confidential and is restricted by the co-op.

2. Application will not be processed if all required information is not attached to the application. Application process may take up to two weeks.

3. Housing coordinator will inform applicant of acceptance decision and provide damage deposit instructions.

4. Pending decision applicants will be contacted and an interview scheduled with the Board of Directors. All applicants over the age of 16 must attend the interview which will be approximately one hour.

Return applications in entirety to ForestCity Housing Co-op coordinator at the above address.

Office Hours: Monday – 12:30pm to 5pm

Tuesday – 12:30pm to 5pm

Wednesday – 12:30pm to 5pm

Thursday – Closed

Friday – Closed

Saturday – Closed

It is preferred an appointment be booked for unit viewing during business hours. Unit viewing after hours and on weekends is strictly by appointment only. Hours may vary due to errands and banking etc.

NOTE: NO CASH IS ACCEPTED. Money orders are preferred and should be made out to Forest City Housing Co-operative Inc.

How is Co-op Housing Different from Rental?

There are four important advantages to Co-operative Housing:

1)Unlike rents, Co-op Housing Charges rise only with increases in operationg costs and do not include profits. Therefore, over time, Co-operative Housing Charges become less expensive than rents in comparable market units.

2)Co-operative Housing ensures an equal voice among residents in the decisions affecting their housing. Such decisions include determination of rents, services and rules governing the organization.

3)Democratic control guarantees that money budgeted for maintenance is spent on maintenance and not skimmed off the top for extra profit while the property deteriorates.

4)Co-operative Housing provides a unique opportunity for people to build a community.

Participation

1)Each unit shall give a minimum of four hours of service per month, per member, to the Co-op other than the maintenance responsibilities relating to his/her unit and attendance at all meetings.

Committee Work

1)The various committees are the life blood of the Co-op. Some of the committees have a direct bearing on the day to day management of the Co-op’s (Corporation) business while other committees act as auxiliaries.

The Maintenance Policy states that the area three feet from the outside walls of a unit may be used for members’ use. The remaining area is the “Common Area”. Participation can take place in lawn cutting and watering in the summer months and keeping lawn borders around the trees free of weeds. In the winter, snow shoveling of the sidewalks and firelanes can also contribute towards your participation.

PARTICIPATION IS WHAT MAKES A CO-OP WORK!

VERIFICATION OF INCOME

Depending on your circumstances, one of the following will be adequate proof of your income.

Source of IncomeVerification Required

Regularly EmployedA letter from your employer stating your salary before deductions and the number of hours per week you work. If you earn a constant amount each pay cheque, three consecutive pay stubs may be submitted.

Irregularly EmployedA copy of your last income tax return, including supporting information (T-4's etc.), as well as an affidavit estimating your income for the coming year.

Receiving EIA copy of your most recent benefits receipt.

Social AssistanceA cheque stub from your most recent allowance setting out these benefits including but not limited to Ontario Works, ODSP, D.V.A, WCB, WSIB, CPP disability or a letter from the agency from which you receive benefits with details of shelter or living allowance etc.

Retraining ProgramsHuman Resources Development or other training programs for which you receive support or income

PensionA copy of each of your pension cheques (O.A.S, C.P.P, G.A.I.N.S, private pension etc.)

Self EmployedA statement from a chartered accountant setting out your net business income or total withdrawals from the business as salary in the last 52 weeks OR an affidavit with documents such as tax forms declaring your total annual income, sources and amount

Support Payments ReceivedAlimony, separation or support payment amounts must be verified with legal documents from the family court or lawyer.

StudentsOSAP – Grant portion or shelter allowance is counted as income; repayable loans are not. Any living allowance less tuitions, books or equipment required for courses is also accountable as income.

Summer employment or paid co-op work must be included.

Rental IncomeCopies of cheques or written agreements made if you have rented property that is owned by you including any summer or vacation properties.

Income Yielding AssetsBank statements or tax forms relating to dividends or interest paid on Stock/investment papers, savings accounts, credit unions, mortages or loans etc., if the assets income exeeds $2000 per year

ALSO INCLUDED: Income from the following must be disclosed - part time earnings; bonuses & incentive pay; commissions, tips and gratuities; strike pay; earnings from home child care, housework.

NOT INCLUDED:Family allowances; capital gains, scholarships or bursaries; supplementary tax assistance for the elderly.

CMHC requires all household income be reported for all persons residing in unit.

FOREST CITY HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE INC.

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP AND ACCOMMODATION

We realize that this application asks for a great deal of information. There is a reason for asking each question. Please note that all personal information given here is strictly for the use of the Co-op in evaluating your request for membership and accommodation.

***PLEASE PRINT***

APPLICANTCO-APPLICANT

Name:______

Address:______

______

Postal Code:______

Telephone:(Home)______

(Work)______

Email: ______

HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION - Complete for all members of household, including applicant & co-applicant.

SURNAME / GIVEN NAMES / BIRTHDATE / RELATIONSHIP TO
(including middle) / MO DY YR / APPLICANT

Number of Bedrooms Required:ONE____ TWO____ THREE____

When is unit required? ______

PETS: What Kind & How Many? ______

VEHICLES:Do you own a car or any other vehicle?

Vehicle Description ______Licence Plate No.______

Vehicle Description ______Licence Plate No.______

DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER: APPLICANT ______

CO-APPLICANT ______

Why would you like to live in this co-operative? ______

How did you hear about our co-operative? ______

Have you any experience or interest in co-ops or other community organizations, for example food co-ops, credit unions, PTA, tenant’s associations? ______

Do you have any hobbies or extra curricular activities? ______

Do you have any interests you might like to develop in the co-op? ______

Do you have any concerns or questions about the co-op? ______

What do you hope to gain/accomplish by being a member of the co-op? ______

All members are expected to participate in some aspect of the Co-op’s operation and management. How do you see yourself contributing to the Co-op?

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE ______SOCIAL COMMITTEE ______

MAINTENANCE /LANDSCAPE ______FINANCE COMMITTEE ______

RULES & REGULATIONS ______INSPECTION COMMITTEE ______

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ______

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS ______

APPLICANT’S PARTICULARS

NAME______NAME ______

Social Insurance Number
Date of Birth (m/d/y)
Driver’s License Number
Present landlord’s name
Present landlord’s address
Postal Code
Present landlord’s telephone no.
Years lived at present address
Current rent & utilities

Previous address

Years lived at previous address
Name of previous landlord
Previous address
Postal Code
Previous landlord telephone #

Employer’s Name

Address
Telephone No.
Length of Employment
Occupation

GROSS MONTHLY INCOME

Previous Employer’s Name
Previous Employer’s Telephone
Length of Employment

Name of Bank

Branch Address
Branch Telephone No.
Account Number (cheq/saving)
Bank Credit Cards (Visa,MC)
Other Credit Cards (Sears, Bay etc)
Other Income or Assets
(please specify)

What made you choose this accommodation?Newspaper □ Referral□ Billboard □Other □

REFERENCES: Two personal (other than relative) and one credit other than the aforementioned bank. Must be completed in full

NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: Contact next of kin

NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
RELATIONSHIP

I/we understand that to be eligible to occupy a housing unit, I/we must be a member of Forest City Housing Co-operative Inc. and sign the Occupancy Agreement. I/we support the co-operative principles and am interested in becoming a member

I/we understand that this application must be accompanied by the following:

-a $25.00 application fee per applicant. If the application is withdrawn or rejected by the

Board of Directors the application fee will not be refunded

(CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDERS ONLY ACCEPTED)

-income verification in the form requested by the Co-operative for each member of the household whoreceives an income

I/we understand that Forest City Housing Co-operative Inc. is formed for the purpose of providing housing at cost to its members and that membership includes responsibility to participate in the management and maintenance of the Co-operative.

I/we understand that accommodation in Forest City Housing Co-operative Inc depends on being accepted for membership into the Co-operative and that I/we will be interviewed for membership at a later date.

I/We understand that a one-time membership fee of $25.00 per adult is payable on acceptance as members

I/we declare that all the information in this application is complete & correct.

I/We authorize the co-operative to verify any or all of the information contained herein and to perform a credit check.

APPLICANTCO-APPLICANT

Signature: ______Signature: ______

Date: ______Date: ______

Signatures of other household members aged 16 and over

Signature: ______Signature: ______

Date: ______Date: ______

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Completed App., income verification & fee received: ______(date & time)

Received signed consent form & Schedule A: ______

Co-ordinator Signature: ______.

PERSONAL INFORMATION CONSENT

I/We have provided ForestCity Housing Co-operative with personal information about me/us, as set out below. I consent to the co-op using it for the purposes stated, and sharing it with the organizations specified.

Type of personal information provided:

• Contact information – address, phone number, e mail address
• Members in the household – date of birth, SIN (optional), vehicle & license information
• Financial information – annual household income, place and type of employment, creditors, & banking information
• Reference information – name of current and/or previous landlord

The Co-op will use the information as follows:

• To contact me about this application.
• To determine my eligibility for housing and membrship in Forest City Housing Co-op
• To determine my eligibility for relocation
• To meet the requirements of federal or provincial laws, the co-op’s by-laws or occupancy agreements or any legally binding contracts.

The Co-op will share the information with the following other organizations when necessary:

• The auditors of the Co-operative
• The co-operative’s lawyer
• Government departments or agencies, as required by law

I/we understand that the Co-op will destroy personal information that it no longer needs.

I/we have read and received a copy of this statement.

(to be signed by household members aged 16 or older)

______

(signed)(date)

______

(signed)(date)

cc: Applicant’s file