Last updated: May 13, 2020
Housing cooperatives and our members are in a unique position during the COVID-19 outbreak to utilize the values and skillsets we've prioritized as a movement: concern for community, responsibility, mutual aid, solidarity, and organization.
NASCO is working to continue our mission to provide resources and encouragement to housing cooperatives across North America during this global crisis. We are shifting our programming to meet the situation, providing space for cooperatives to build and share action plans, and connecting co-ops to resources as needed.
We are closely monitoring the increasing spread of COVID-19 and taking proactive steps to support our members and the communities that they are embedded within. We are continuously evaluating the situation and adjusting as needed.
See below for:
- NASCO Programming Updates
- Resources
NASCO Programming Updates
- Staff and Managers Conference Online
NASCO’s Spring Staff and Managers Conference will be held Online May 27th- 31st. The conference will offer programming to both Student leaders and Co-op Staff as well as joint workshop offerings. - Remote Member Visits
We have suspended NASCO member visits that require travel until further notice and are increasing our offering of remote trainings and consultations to member co-ops. Remote member visits include one or two workshops of your choice. If your co-op would like to schedule a member visit, please contact bronwyn@nasco.coop. - Updates to NASCO Trainings
Staff have reviewed all trainings planned for each member interaction to include updates on changes in best practices for health and safety, maintenance and finance planning, and changes in facilitation to fit the necessary change in the medium used. - Institute
We are aware that there is a possibility of NASCO Institute being affected by COVID-19. We are planning for contingency options for remote or hybrid remote conferences in the fall, are in touch with the University of Michigan Union on their local logistical issues, and will be collecting feedback on best practices for remote events and trainings through Spring. - Co-op Internship Network
We have been able to maintain some internship hosts this summer through providing remote internship positions. Though many hosts were unable to provide remote placements we appreciated the flexibility and participation of all hosts and applicants.
A thorough outline of the NASCO Family's response to the COVID-19 pandemic including how we are supporting members, adapting existing programming, and our next steps can be found here.
Cooperative Living in COVID-19 Resources
- Join our slack channel #covid-19-response to share/collaborate with other co-ops. Some resources shared so far include:
- Housing Cooperative / Group Living Suggested COVID-19 Protocol
- Laurel House Emergency Preparedness Plan
- Boulder Housing Coalition Mandatory Guidelines
- Public Health Agreements and House Guidelines from Cloyne Court Co-op members at the Berkeley Student Cooperative
- Wood St. Co-op CVOID-19 Action Plan
- Bread & Roses Co-operative Homes COVID-19 Strategy
- Collective Living & COVID-19
- Communal Living & COVID-19
- CHF Canada's Housing Co-ops and COVID-19 Resource Page
- REBNY Best Practices for Residential Property Managers
- COVID-19 Fact Sheets in 30+ Languages from the COVID-19 Health Literacy Project
Co-op Economic Resources & Funding
- NASCO has a short survey where members can share their current economic impact from COVID-19. We are hearing that our member co-ops are dealing with as many as half of their members out of work or leaving due to shutdowns of workplaces and campuses across the US and Canada. As events are happening quickly, we want to get a birds-eye view of how this is and will be affecting our members economically. We are looking for information to coordinate a broader response to help co-ops work through the economic impacts that seem likely.
- Cooperative Resilience Resources from The Cooperative Fund of New England (CFNE)
- USFWC Guide to Applying for EIDL Funding
- ICA Group's guide on SBA Loans
- Shared Capital Cooperative's Emergency Loans for Cooperatives
- The Cooperative Fund of New England Emergency Cooperative Enterprise Relief Loan Fund for cooperatives in New England and parts of New York State
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy for Canadian Cooperatives
- List of funds specifically established in the wake of coronavirus compiled by Candid
If your co-op needs assistance applying for any of these funding sources, Click here to request COVID-19 loan application assistance for your co-op from NASCO.
Mutual Aid, Advocacy & Social Justice Wisdom
- COVID-19 Mutual Aid and Advocacy Resources
- Collective Care is Our Best Weapon Against COVID-19
- Transformative Spaces' Demands from Grassroots Organizers Concerning COVID-19
- Resources to Address Coronavirus Racism
- Coronavirus: Wisdom from a Social Justice Lens (Podcast)
- Adrienne Maree Brown's Additional Resources for Facing Coronavirus/Covid19
- Mapping Our Social Change Roles in Times of Crisis
- Coronavirus Capitalism and How to Beat it (Video)
- The Next Economy: Transforming Economic Systems After COVID-19 (Video)
- Black and Asian-American Feminist Solidarities: A Reading List
- Now Is the Time to Take Radical Steps Toward Housing Equity on Yes!
- Asian American Feminist Antibodies {care in the time of coronavirus}
Students
- COVID-19 Resources for Students
- Student Loans and the CARES Act: Here's How Coronavirus Relief Will Actually Work
-
Many college students and other adult dependents are not eligible to receive a stimulus relief check
Remote work
-
Turning your in-person trainings into virtual trainings: 6 tips & tools in the age of the coronavirus from TESA Collective
- Resources for online meetings, classes, and events from Facilitators for Pandemic Response Group
- Leading Groups Online EBook from Training for Change
We are encouraging our network to practice radical solidarity through this time by sharing information, building resources, and bridging gaps for folks with differing vulnerabilities.
Remember that everyone processes stress and emotions differently. Be gentle with each other and extend grace, empathy, and patience. Check in often.
Take time to talk through and share concerns as a community. Revisit your community agreements. Use this information and other reliable sources to create a community action plan.
Join the NASCO Slack to connect with other co-ops about action plans and community care resources.
Please reach out to NASCO staff at info@nasco.coop if you need support.
NASCO is committed to continuing to provide services to our member cooperatives, regardless of their ability to pay their annual NASCO dues. From support on loan applications to offering paid remote internship placements for emerging cooperative leaders, NASCO is there for our members to provide critical support and offer a vision for collective resiliency. We kindly ask that you join us in supporting our incredible network of housing cooperatives. Your gift will help to ensure that NASCO is able to provide both immediate support to cooperatives and sustained leadership development to cooperators across North America.