Affordable homes coming to Cambridge through new Co-operative Housing
Waterloo Region, Ontario — More than 100 Cambridge households will benefit from new affordable co-operative housing at 30 Lauris Avenue.
The Region of Waterloo and Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation are moving forward with plans for 101 new homes offered below market rent in an apartment building that would operate as a co-operative.
The project will create one of Waterloo Region’s first new co-operative housing communities in more than 30 years, marking an important milestone in expanding local housing options and supporting a broader range of housing types for residents.
The proposed five-story building design has been shaped by community feedback. Final approvals are underway, and construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in fall 2026 once permits are in place. Construction planning will include measures to support safety and reduce disruption for nearby residents.
“Creating more affordable homes for residents living on a range of incomes is a community effort, and it takes creativity. This project and the Region’s partnership with Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation are great examples of how we can keep working together to add more below-market homes to support individuals and families to build stability, and strengthen communities now and in the future,” said Region of Waterloo Chair, Karen Redman.
Residents are invited to attend a neighbourhood information meeting on August 20, 2026, to learn more about the housing initiative, project timelines, construction considerations, and how co-operative housing works.
Neighbourhood information meeting
Regional staff and representatives from the Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation will be available to answer questions. A children’s activity and frozen treats will be available.
- Date and time: Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Location: St. Anne Catholic Elementary School, Gymnasium, 127 Elgin Street North, Cambridge
- Format: Drop-in; no registration required; no formal presentation
“Co-operative housing offers residents more than a place to live – it creates communities where members have a voice and a shared commitment to long-term affordability,” said Elana Harte, Executive Director, Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation. “COCHF is proud to work with the Region of Waterloo to bring a new co-op housing community to Waterloo Region and to help expand the co-operative housing sector for future generations.”
More information about the 30 Lauris Avenue housing initiative is available at EngageWR.ca/Lauris.
About the Region of Waterloo’s Building Better Futures Housing Initiative
With the need for affordable housing growing, the Region is dedicated to increasing and preserving up to 3,500 affordable homes by the end of 2029 through our Building Better Futures strategy.
The Region increases the number of affordable homes in many ways, including through the use of Regionally-owned and acquired lands, funding and resources, partnerships, and community engagement.
Providing Regional lands in exchange for affordable housing units is one of a number of approaches the Region is utilizing in an effort to support the creation of affordable housing units. Learn more about the Affordable Housing Plan.
About the Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation
The Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation (COCHF) is the developer and operator for the 30 Lauris Avenue project. COCHF and the Region of Waterloo are working together to expand the co-operative housing sector and offer a greater selection of housing types to serve the needs of the community.
COCHF promotes the long-term sustainability of non-profit housing co-operatives in Canada and supports the development of more non-profit co-operative housing. Since 1992, COCHF has supported housing co-operatives by helping connect, share resources, and strengthen the sector.
COCHF supports housing co-operatives in Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener and Waterloo. It has 42 member organizations and represents about 3,000 units of member-controlled co-operative housing.
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