Becoming a member
Abby Road Housing Co-operative Ltd. is a member governed and operated non-profit housing community located in Edmonton’s Garneau neighbourhood.
Our co-op is home to both able-bodied and physically disabled residents who live, work, and build the future together. We believe in cooperation, inclusion, and shared responsibility — values that have shaped our community since 1987.
Abby Road is not a landlord-tenant arrangement. When you live here, you are part of a member-governed community that owns and manages the property collectively. Together, we make decisions that sustain our housing and strengthen our neighbourhood for generations to come.
A VITAL ROLE
What it means to be a member
Membership in the co-operative means more than just living in a home — it means helping to make it thrive.
Members:
Participate in meetings and decision-making
Volunteer time, skills, or experience to keep our community running
Abide by our Bylaws and Policies
Contribute to the positive, respectful culture that defines Abby Road
Every member, whether able-bodied or living with a disability, plays a vital role. Some of our members also access Abby Road Support Services, a 24-hour, on-site program available to those with physical disabilities who qualify for daily living support.
However, most residents live independently — the Support Services program simply ensures that those who need assistance can remain active participants in our co-op community.
Our homes
Abby Road includes 49 suites:
23 are adapted units, designed with accessibility features such as roll-in showers, wide hallways, and lower countertops.
26 are standard suites, available to people who share our cooperative values and want to be part of a diverse, inclusive community.
Our co-op is an integrated independent-living community, not an assisted-living or medical facility.
Membership shares
To live at Abby Road, you purchase one membership share valued at $1,000.
This share is a refundable investment in the co-operative — returned to you when your membership ends (no interest or profit is earned).
The share represents your ownership in the co-op and your right to vote on community matters.
All members — whether receiving a housing subsidy or paying full housing charges — hold equal voting power and share the same responsibilities.
Important notes
Abby Road Housing Co-operative is not social housing, public housing, or an emergency housing provider.
All residents are members, not tenants.
Subsidized housing may be available through federal assistance programs, but membership approval is based on community fit and participation, not income alone.
Support Services are available only to eligible co-op members who require daily living assistance and qualify under the program’s guidelines.
BECOME A MEMBER
How to apply for membership
Becoming a member involves three key steps.
Please read this information carefully before applying.
Step 1: Submit your application
Complete the Membership Application Form in full. Include:
Two references (one must be a previous landlord)
Current contact details
Consent for a credit check
Full financial information (for subsidy eligibility, if applicable)
A non-refundable $35 application fee is required, payable by cash or bank-certified cheque (no e-transfers or credit cards accepted).
Only fully completed applications will be reviewed. Incomplete submissions cannot be considered.
Step 2: Interview and review
If selected, you’ll be invited to an in-person interview with the Membership Committee at Abby Road.
Bring a current criminal record check (obtained at your expense).
This meeting helps us get to know you — your background, skills, and how you’d like to contribute to the co-op community.
Step 3: Board decision
The Board of Directors reviews all recommendations and votes on each membership application.
All applicants are fully vetted, and the Board’s decision is final.
Approved applicants are added to our waiting list until a suitable unit becomes available.
SUPPORTING EACH OTHER
Who we’re looking for
We welcome individuals, couples, and families who:
Value cooperative living and want to contribute to a shared community
Are able to live independently or can self-direct their care
Are committed to inclusion, respect, and volunteerism
Our founding members envisioned Abby Road as a place where people with and without disabilities live side by side, supporting one another through cooperation and mutual respect.
That spirit continues today — it’s what makes Abby Road special.
Our promise
At Abby Road, we believe that a cooperative community is stronger when everyone contributes.
If you share our values of inclusion, cooperation, and independence, and you’re ready to invest your time and energy into building a better community for all — we invite you to apply.
