Our Mission Statement is:
LCCH builds and operates cooperative housing that is affordable/attainable and environmentally sustainable. Our unique buildings address food and housing insecurity by integrating cost-effective vertical farming and low-emission, green designs in community-based models of living.

Our first official goal to carry out our mission is:
To build a first-of-its-kind, attainable, non-profit, co-operative housing community and vertical farm in a building that is self-sufficient, uses zero energy, and produces zero GHG emissions by 2028.

In our theory of change, this project will reshape how we look at housing, food, and energy production. While advancing human flourishing, we will integrate solutions to seven linked crises in one project: the housing supply crisis, the housing affordability crisis, the food security crisis, access to health care, the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, the climate crisis, and the energy crunch.

Kingston is in a housing supply and housing affordability crisis. Building a co-op will alleviate both. Food inflation and shrink-flation have made getting good food more and more precarious for many people; a vertical farm will provide more nutritious food locally. Regular food production in sewer and storm infrastructure is not resilient compared to our vertical farm approach. Regular housing is also energy- and carbon-intensive compared to our design. LCCH will lead the way with a paradigm shift in how we see well-being, affordability in housing, and food production. In order to secure CMHC-capital funding—which hinges on the strongest evidence of sustainability and affordability—we must follow a clear, staged process. We are working from approved parameters. The architect has to prove out all schematic assumptions; a development permit must be obtained from the City of Kingston; the zoning bylaw amendment and site plan control agreement must be approved; and a final recommendation must go to Planning Committee and City Council.

Technical Help

Step 1: Impact studies requested by City of Kingston Planning staff

  • Grading and Servicing Plan
  • Site Plan
  • Lighting Plan
  • Zoning Compliance Table
  • Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
  • Site Plan Accessibility Checklist
  • Construction Management Report / Plan
  • Planning Justification
  • Servicability Report
  • Stormwater Management Report / Brief
  • Tree Inventory Study
  • Tree Preservation Study
  • Tree Preservation Plan
  • Traffic Impact Study
  • Noise / Vibration Study
  • Archaeological Assessment
  • Community Meeting Form
  • Urban Design Study
  • Shadow Study
  • Wind Study
  • Gas Load Summary

Step 2: City of Kingston Planning Committee and City Council approval.

Step 3: Development permits, site plan, and development charges.

Step 4: Architectural “prove-out”

  • Innovation and Integration Feasibility Study
  • Business Plan and Viability Report

Step 5: Engineering reports for Class B plans

  • Energy modelling study
  • Structural engineer’s report
  • Mechanical engineer’s report
  • Electrical engineer’s report
  • Accessibility modelling study

Step 6: Full Class B estimates

  • Architectural Class B design drawings & specifications
  • Class B construction cost estimates
  • Final financial viability report
  • Completion appraisal

Step 7: Apply for capital funding

  • CMHC — Affordable Housing Fund
  • CMHC — Co-op Housing Development Program
  • FCM — Capital Fund
  • Community land-raising campaign with $20 million goal
  • Canada ICI and Dominion Lending Centres: loan for up to 95% of the unfunded residential portion of the build

Step 8: Additional expenses throughout the project

  • Legal advice; legal reviews
  • Insurance (Board and other)
  • Audited financial statements and professional reporting

Social Help

We’re looking for committed co-op members who will be visible role models when 400–500 residents call LCCH home. The more mentors we have, the stronger our culture will be—because this building and co-op include many moving parts that require shared knowledge, consistent behaviour, and hands-on training.

What “committed” means

  • Learn and live the co-op’s values, mission, and behavioural expectations.
  • Show up reliably, communicate respectfully, and help resolve issues using restorative practices.
  • Share knowledge with new residents; model neighbourliness, inclusion, and care for common spaces.

Where we need people

1) Culture & Conduct (values, expectations, onboarding)

  • Help articulate and teach LCCH’s values, mission, and code of conduct.
  • Lead welcome/orientation circles for new residents.
  • Support conflict-prevention and restorative conversations.

2) Governance & Member Committees

  • Finance, Governance, Maintenance, Food Systems, Member Services, and Events.
  • Prepare agendas/minutes; track actions and decisions; ensure transparency.

3) Social Enterprise (vertical farm & food programs)

  • Vertical farm: seeding, transplanting, harvesting, sanitation, traceability, packaging/labeling, simple QA, climate/LED monitoring, basic IPM, weekly production planning.
  • Food programs: box prep, distribution, volunteer scheduling, POS & bookkeeping, customer/member communications.
  • Compliance: food-safety practices, hygiene, and record-keeping.

4) Building Operations & Community Services

  • Front desk/concierge, room bookings, access management, guest & delivery procedures.
  • Maintenance triage: log requests, prioritize, coordinate with contractors, follow up.
  • Waste, recycling, and organics workflows; help us meet certification targets.
  • Safety: floor wardens, drill coordinators, emergency preparedness.

5) Resident Support & Inclusion

  • Peer supports and wellness check-ins; referral pathways to local services.
  • Programming for youth, families, and seniors; skills-exchange and study circles.
  • Accessibility & equity stewards: remove barriers; arrange translation/interpretation.

6) Training & Documentation

  • Design and run short trainings: Co-op 101, Food Safety basics, HS/WHMIS basics, Non-violent Communication, Committee skills, Shift-lead training.
  • Maintain SOPs, checklists, schedules, and quick-start guides.

7) Outreach, Partnerships, & Communications

  • Volunteer coordination, neighbourhood events, school/NGO partnerships.
  • Tours, info sessions, social media/newsletter support.
  • Fundraising events support and donor stewardship (with staff/board guidance).

Behavioural expectations (always on)

  • Reliability and punctuality; safety first.
  • Respectful, non-discriminatory conduct; zero harassment.
  • Confidentiality where appropriate; careful use of shared data/systems.
  • Care for shared property; leave spaces cleaner than you found them.

Time & training

  • Anchor mentors: 4–8 hrs/month extra; Regular volunteers: about 4 hrs/week/household; Occasional: as needed.
  • We provide orientation and role-specific training; shift leads receive extra training.
  • Clear pathways for recognition and leadership roles.

Outcome
By modelling co-op values, sharing knowledge, and running core functions of the social enterprise, the building, and the vertical farm, members help create a community that is affordable, secure, and sustainable—and where new residents can thrive from day one.

With your support we can get all these tasks done—and done well. Thank you, and please help us by donating volunteer time, money or professional services - thank you!