There are four important advantages to non-profit, co-operative housing over rental housing.

1) Unlike rents, co-op housing charge rise only with increases in the operating costs and do not include any profits. Over time, co-op housing charges should be lower than rents for comparable rental housing.

2) Co-operative housing ensures an equal voice among residents in the decisions affecting their housing. There is no landlord.

3) Co-operative provides a unique opportunity for people to build a community and to share and assist each other in ways beyond their housing needs.

4) Democratic control guarantees that money budgeted for maintenance is spent on maintenance, and not skimmed off for extra profit while the property deteriorates