About the Film

In August 2025, Paloma housing co-op in East Vancouver celebrated its 40th birthday. But what is a co-op? How are co-ops different from other forms of housing? And how can co-ops provide an affordable alternative to conventional rentals in today's real estate market?

In It Together explores these and other questions through a series of interviews with past and current members of Paloma, developers who were involved in the co-op movement in the 80s, and people who are active In the co-op movement today.

Paloma Housing Co-op was founded in 1983 by a group of Vancouverites who were interested in finding an alternative to the real estate market. Working with Inner City Housing, a developer involved in the co-op sector, and with help from government grants and low-interest loans aimed at creating affordable housing, the early members of Paloma built the co-op literally from the ground up. In the process, they learned the skills necessary to self-govern and maintain a 44 unit apartment building.

Forty years later, Vancouver has become one of the most expensive cites in North America, and the need for affordable housing is greater than ever. As the price of Vancouver real estate skyrockets, attitudes have changed around affordable housing, and many of the programs that made the co-op movement possible no longer exist or have altered significantly. In It Together argues for the value of co-op housing as a model that empowers ordinary people, builds community, and encourages self-determination.

Reviews

"Stories From Paloma, shows us that coop housing is so much more than a building that people share. It is the story of people's lives together that fosters the best sense of community there is. An incredible history of people and place that has generational meaning".

Libby Davies

MP Vancouver East 1997-2015

I finally finished watching the film. Superb! I love how you've weaved the stories of the "founders" of the co-op with those who just moved in. The film brings in the challenges in housing today and the power of co-ops in transforming lives and communities. Really moving! Plus, I really appreciated learning about the history behind the "Paloma" name.

Ed Dagsaan

Education Director, Co-operative Housing Federation of BC

Great film! Great discussion! Great people

Sean Orr

Vancouver City Councillor

Many, many thanks and congratulations for a very wonderful, beautiful, inspiring and very important film. What wonderful work from you and Ben and the whole Paloma team that were involved! And all the people interviewed were excellent too.

D.S.

The film is entertaining and a great educational tool, as it makes a very clear case for the benefits of co-op housing. I hope that it helps to reignite the movement and that it also reaches "the powers that be".

C.R.

Just a quick note to say congrats on the excellent documentary, and the turnout yesterday was fantastic. I love the cooperative theme woven throughout. It sounds like you might get busy with screenings.

E.P.

I didn't want it to end! I cried!

D.C.

Congratulations, Paloma! I am so proud of this effort.

C.M.

Bravo!!

M.T.

Fun event.

M.R.

I'm very happy that I was able to be there and could share your wonderful day! Well done!

K.P.

Definitely should submit it for best documentary

G.D.

Fantastic event!

K.Y.

Congratulations...!! Incredibly proud of this amazing film!

T.P.

Congratulations Pat and Ben on an outstanding production! And what a great turnout!!

S.M.

It was WONDERFUL! Thank you!

C.K.

It was a successful event! The film stimulated a lot of good conversation. Congratulations on making a great film!

D.B.

It was a wonderful film and event, .... And it's especially great that it might help to get a housing co-op storytelling movement happening.

S.T.

Biographies

Benjamin Walsh

Benjamin Walsh is a filmmaker and poet based in Vancouver, British Colombia. His recent films include Edge of the Human World: Kayaking in Antarctica, and It's My Pipeline Now, a film about the Trans Mountain Pipeline, Indigenous land rights, and the ecological cost of oil sands mining.

Pat McClain

Pat McClain, BA has been a member of Paloma Housing Co-operative since 1985. During that time, she has served in many capacities in the larger co-op housing sector: Program Manager, Director, Workshop Facilitator and Volunteer Committee Member.

Pat has also taken on many roles and duties during her 40+ years as a Paloma member. Her latest role is as the producer of the film In it together: Stories from Paloma Housing Co-op.