The Health of Our Section – An Aggregate Report of NASCO Member CO-OP Health Assessments

The Health of Our Section – An Aggregate Report of NASCO Member CO-OP Health Assessments provides a comprehensive overview of the health assessments conducted among various equity housing cooperatives in North America. Published by NASCO, an organization focused on cooperative housing, the report presents a detailed analysis of the current state of member cooperatives amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The primary objectives of these health assessments are to document and share best practices among housing cooperatives, provide a long-term perspective on their growth, and suggest emerging goals for co-ops that are not yet widely adopted. The report emphasizes that, while no co-op received an "Excellent" rating, it aims to serve as a baseline for future assessments and improvements.

The report is based on interviews conducted with members, officers, and staff of 28 cooperative organizations using standardized questions. The responses were summarized in a scoring matrix to evaluate the existence and functionality of various systems within the co-ops. The assessment reveals that challenges such as increased operating costs, vacancies, and low member engagement have adversely affected co-op operations.

The health ratings of the co-ops were categorized as follows: 7 co-ops were rated "Poor," 8 as "Fair," and 13 as "Good." Notably, no co-op achieved an "Excellent" rating, indicating that even the best-performing co-ops faced significant setbacks. Areas identified as performing well include governance, finance, food quality, and maintenance systems, with 75% of boards meeting governance needs and over 75% of co-ops regularly reconciling their bookkeeping records.

Despite the strengths identified, the report highlights several areas needing improvement, particularly in personnel management and human resources. About 50% of co-ops do not conduct regular staff evaluations, and 45% lack training on Fair Housing laws. Furthermore, over 50% of co-ops reported insufficient tools for addressing sexual assault and harassment, and many do not have systems for tracking demographic data related to membership.

To address these issues, the report provides recommendations for member co-ops, such as prioritizing formal systems for Fair Housing education, establishing regular outside financial reviews, and seeking partnerships with local disability advocacy organizations. It emphasizes the need for improved training schedules for officers and committee members to foster better governance and member engagement.

In response to the findings, NASCO plans to revise its training materials related to personnel management and human resources. The organization aims to develop resources that better equip co-ops to act as employers and address the needs of their staff. Additionally, NASCO will focus on providing anti-oppression training and workshops on consent to enhance the safety and inclusivity of co-op environments.

The report also analyzes trends based on co-op size, age, and whether they are open to student members. It finds that larger co-ops tend to score higher in education and member recruitment, while smaller co-ops excel in external community engagement. Interestingly, co-ops under five years old showed higher overall health scores than their older counterparts, indicating that newer organizations may benefit from fresh perspectives and community engagement.

In conclusion, The Health of Our Section provides valuable insights into the operational health of NASCO member cooperatives, emphasizing both strengths and areas for improvement. The findings are intended to guide co-ops in enhancing their governance, member engagement, and overall sustainability.