About Cohousing Options Canada

Kristopher is a community builder focused on advancing a more sustainable future for his son, family, friends and the people of Canada. He is an experienced leader and advisor in the field of sustainability with more than 15 years experience. Kristopher specializes in developing and implementing strategies that bring together commercial, public, indigenous and community partners to create individual, social, economic and ecological value. 

Highlights from his career include: advancing the Community Wealth Non-profit development approach to workforce housing, indigenous housing and cohousing that makes home ownership accessible to those with annual incomes of $30,000 a year, advancing the indiginization of the trades,  serving seven years as the Executive Director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association, initiating Ontario’s successful Green Energy and Economy Act campaign, recruiting executives for Fortune 500 multinationals in Asia and researching economic reform in Africa and the sensitive topic of social friction in Ontario’s electricity sector.

 Kristopher currently serves as the Executive Director of Cohousing Options Canada, Sustainability and Innovation Advisor for the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers, a Consultant and Director of Roots to Roofs Community Development Society, President of Smart Net Coalition Board and a Director of the Aboriginal Skilled Workers Association. 

Michel (Mike) Labbé, MSM,  is an Urban and Regional Planning Graduate from the University of Waterloo.  He has been involved in the production of affordable housing for 45 years.

​Originally working on subsidized non-profit rental projects with Lantana Non-Profit for 13 years, then after a trip to South Africa and the disappearance of government grants in Canada in 1992, Mike founded Options for Homes to focus on ownership.  As President and CEO of Options For Homes, Mike was instrumental in developing a model that provided mixed income housing to thousands of households. Under Mike’s leadership, Options for Homes became a leading organization in the social enterprise movement and provided homes to over 6,500 households across Canada. In 2015, Mike shifted his focus to Options International to implement the model globally – reaching over 22 countries.

​Since 2017, when Mike founded Home Opportunities, he has dedicated his time to this new cost-effective home ownership model using his knowledge built over the years. This model further refines his work on affordable homeownership, serving households with incomes as low as $35,000 without the requirement of subsidies and grants.

​Mike has been honoured for his work over the years as an Affordable Housing Champion by the City of Toronto in 2010, the Canadian Urban Institute Local Hero Award in 2008, and most notably, a recipient of a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) from the Governor General of Canada in 2016. 

Alexander Theodorakidis applies broad industry experience, expert knowledge and relentless energy to solving business problems. A graduate of Humber College with a diploma in Hospitality Management, Alexander’s career has branched into other industries and disciplines.

Today, Alexander specializes in working with companies strategic planning, digital marketing, project management, systems efficiency and facilities management.

Born in Toronto and raised in Brampton, Alex loves hiking, fishing and camping in the Ontario backwoods and spends his spare time reading and playing soccer.

Elvira was born and raised in gorgeous Saint-Petersburg, Russia. In 2003 her parents sent her to Toronto to help improve her English and the rest is history. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 2009 with a degree in History & Political Science and has a passion for a good political debate or an insightful history book. Elvira has since worked as a researcher for the G8/G20 Research Groups to learn more about the world around her and has ten years working in public, private, government and academic environments. Elvira has worked in various campaigns, consulting companies, and organizations over the years, which taught her a great deal about Toronto’s culture and diversity.

Elvira has always loved helping people, engaging people, and working in the community. When she is not at work you can find her in the gym or hanging off trees in the summer with family and friends at a park. Elvira loves sports, books, wine, travel and most of all she loves her two adorable kids and family.