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Culture & Conduct
Help articulate and teach LCCH's values, mission, and code of conduct. Lead welcome and orientation circles for new residents. Support conflict-prevention and restorative conversations.
Get Involved
Help us build something different.
LCCH is a community project — it only happens with the support of people who share the vision. Whether you can offer technical expertise, volunteer time, or just show up to a meeting, there is a place for you here.
Our mission
Why we exist.
Mission statement
LCCH builds and operates co-operative housing that is affordable 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.
First official goal — 2028
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.
Theory of change
One project, seven linked crises.
This project will reshape how we look at housing, food, and energy production — integrating solutions to seven crises at once.
Kingston is in a housing supply and affordability crisis. Building a co-op will alleviate both. Food inflation and shrinkflation 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, working from approved parameters.
Technical help
The road to completion.
We need technical professionals at every stage — planners, engineers, architects, lawyers, and accountants. Here is what lies ahead.
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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
- Serviceability 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
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City of Kingston Planning Committee and City Council approval.
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Development permits, site plan, and development charges.
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Architectural "prove-out"
- Innovation and Integration Feasibility Study
- Business Plan and Viability Report
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Engineering reports for Class B plans
- Energy modelling study
- Structural engineer's report
- Mechanical engineer's report
- Electrical engineer's report
- Accessibility modelling study
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Full Class B estimates
- Architectural Class B design drawings & specifications
- Class B construction cost estimates
- Final financial viability report
- Completion appraisal
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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
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Additional expenses throughout the project
- Legal advice; legal reviews
- Insurance (Board and other)
- Audited financial statements and professional reporting
Contact
Ready to help?
With your support we can get all these tasks done — and done well. Please help us by donating volunteer time, money, or professional services. To get in touch, send an email to LCCH Chair Jeff McLaren.