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 is a comprehensive document published by NASCO, which evaluates the health of various cooperative housing organizations. The report provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of member co-ops through health assessments aimed at promoting sustainable housing practices.

The primary objectives of conducting health assessments include documenting best practices among equity housing cooperatives, offering a long-term perspective on growth, and suggesting emerging goals for member co-ops. The report indicates that no co-op received an Excellent rating, highlighting the challenges faced during the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted operations significantly, including increased costs and member engagement issues.

NASCO carried out interviews with members, officers, and staff from 28 cooperative organizations, utilizing standardized questions to assess their health status. The results indicate a wide range of health ratings among co-ops: 7 co-ops rated as Poor, 8 as Fair, and 13 as Good, with no co-ops achieving an Excellent rating.

Key findings reveal that 75% of co-ops reported confidence in governance, with most having up-to-date bylaws. In finance, over 75% of co-ops maintained regular bookkeeping and financial reports. Areas of strength also included food quality and social events, while maintenance systems were generally well-established.

However, the report also identifies significant areas for improvement. For instance, 50% of co-ops with staff lack regular staff evaluations, and 45% reported insufficient training on Fair Housing laws. More than 50% of co-ops do not have effective systems for preventing sexual assault or harassment, and over 75% lack connections with local disability advocacy organizations.

The report offers various recommendations, including establishing formal systems for Fair Housing education and regular external financial reviews. It emphasizes the importance of partnerships with local disability organizations to enhance accessibility and recommends setting up clear training schedules for officers and committee members.

To address the identified gaps, NASCO plans to revise its training materials on personnel management and human resources, offer anti-oppression training, and develop workshops focused on consent and sexual assault prevention. Additionally, NASCO will assist co-ops in creating local resource guides to enhance community engagement.

The report analyzes trends based on co-op size, age, and membership status. Larger co-ops scored higher in education and recruitment, while smaller co-ops excelled in community engagement. Notably, co-ops established for less than five years showed higher overall health scores than older ones, although they faced challenges in legal and membership services. In conclusion, this aggregate report serves as a vital resource for understanding the current health status of NASCO member co-ops, offering valuable insights and actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing sustainable housing practices across Europe.