How does a co-op choose its members?

Here are some of the things a co-op looks at when a unit comes
available:

Your position on the waiting list

Your Income:  
Although people of any income may live in a co-op, the co-op has
only so much subsidy money to help people with low incomes to pay
their housing charges. If the co-op has not spent its subsidy money
for the year, someone on a low income may be able to move in. If
the co-op does not have subsidy available for that particular unit,
it will need someone who can pay the full housing charge. 

Family Size:  
The co-op is supposed to use its space as efficiently as possible.
Members should occupy units related to their family size.
Guidelines recommended by Canada Mortgage and housing (CMHC) and by
BC Housing include:
- no more than two and no fewer than one person per bedroom.
- spouses and couples share a bedroom.
- parents do not share a bedroom with their children.
- dependents aged 18 or over do not share a bedroom.
- dependents of the opposite sex age 5 or over do not share a
bedroom.

Need: 
If your present housing is very hard for you to afford, if it's
unsuitable, crowded, or unsafe, or if there is anything else you
would like the co-op to take into consideration, let them know when
you apply. 

Participation: 
The co-op also wants to know what you can do for them. Because the
members as a group are responsible for running the co-op, the
Membership Committee will be looking for people who are willing to
help out. If you have skills the co-op can use, let them know.
People without skills and people with disabilities can also
contribute a lot to the co-op community.

Internal waiting list: 
When a unit comes available, most co-ops give priority to people
already living in the co-op who may have applied to move to a
different unit, perhaps because their family size has changed. 

The interview: 
Most co-ops have a membership committee, which takes care of
applications, interviews people who want to live in the co-op, and
helps new members learn about the co-op. 
Usually, when a unit comes available, two or three members of the
co-op's membership committee will interview several families. The
people interviewing you live in the co-op and can answer many of
your questions. 
Usually they want to interview all members of your family. Some co-
ops like the family pets to come along too. If you're not sure
whether to bring your pets, ask. Some co-ops will have the
interview at the co-op; some will come to your home. 
Having an interview does not mean you will be able to move into the
co-op. The interview is a chance for the co-op to choose the member
who is most appropriate at that particular time. It is also a
chance for you to learn more, and to be sure this co-op is really
for you.