The housing climate in York Region in the late 1980s was a dismal situation. Home–ownership was a prohibitively expensive proposition and rental accommodations were virtually non–existant. There was an overwhelming demand for affordable housing with some families living in sub–standard accommodations.
Concerned about this deplorable state of affairs, Sharron Richards, a community and social organizer, approached another woman, Dianna Leeden–Davies, a former staff person at the Yellow Brick House (at the time the only women's shelter in York Region) to find out if there might be interest in a non–profit housing co–operative in the area.
Ms Richards followed that up by generating interest among a group of women who had also expressed an interest in making a dent in the housing crisis. The response was overwhelming and with that began what we know today as H.O.P.E. Co–op.
The first Board of Directors was officially formed on May 26, 1988. That pioneering group consisted of:
The board began a search to find a consulting firm to help guide them through the process they had undertaken. After interviewing three different housing resource groups, the board chose Toronto–based Chris Smith & Associates.
With the assistance of Chris Smith & Associates the board submitted the initial application to the Ontario Ministry of Housing. The consultant's role was to give clear understanding and guidance in the conceptualization and development of non–profit and co–operative housing and on living co–operatively within a community.
As a next step, the board toured other co–operative housing developments in the Toronto, York and Durham regions. As part of their pre–development work, the board also met with then Aurora Mayor John West to discuss the board's initiative and desire. The board left the meeting with Mayor West's support for the co–op concept.
The board also needed legal advice to complement the team they were assembling and instituted a search for legal counsel. After several interviews they hired and retained the Newmarket law firm McChesney & Rogers.
By August 1988 the board had found the parcel of land where they wanted to construct the co–op. Located in the southwest corner of Newmarket, the land they chose was owned by Ronto Developments. As part of their agreement with the board, Ronto constructed the co–op and provided architectural services in a "turn–key" arrangement. Once construction was completed and the co–op was ready for occupancy, Ronto turned the land and the buildings over to the co–op.