Its purpose is to provide good quality, affordable housing on a co-operative basis for its members. is a non-profit housing corporation incorporated in April 1983 and was developed for the purpose of providing alternative housing for its members. The original members were involved in developing the Co-op's policies and selecting the first Co-op members. The original sponsor of Three Links is the I
ndependent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) and Rebekahs of Barrie. in December 1983. The property was purchased and construction commenced early 1984. Three Links is an 80 unit townhouse Co-op with 18 two bedroom units, 52 three bedroom units, 6 four bedroom units and 4 special two bedroom handicapped units. It also has a separate community facility with a large meeting room, offices, laundry and storage rooms and adjoining green space. The project Resource Group is Chris Smith & Associates, the Architect is R.M. Allison and the contractor is D.G. Pratt Construction Ltd. The Co-op is administered by and for the members through their elected Board of Directors. Some of the day to day details are handled by a hired co-ordinator. The core of the Co-op, nevertheless, is its committees. The work of the committees is carried out on a volunteer basis by the residents of the Co-op. For someone who has not lived in a Co-op before, this may seem like a lot of work, but in practice, it usually takes only a few hours a month to work on these committees to improve the quality of life we all enjoy. Each member has one vote and an equal voice in decision-making. All policies affecting the Co-op are decided at general members' meetings. Members pay their first and last months' housing charges (rent) when moving in and they are required at that time to sign an occupancy agreement that establishes the obligation of the member to the Co-op and the Co-op to the member.
