The purpose of this primary research report and case studies is to fill the gap in literature and examine the experiences from the perspectives of the organizations that have attempted them in the BC and Alberta context, with the aim of drawing out some lessons, possible reasons for the successes or failures of particular approaches, and to identify what is necessary to further support the efforts of the not-for-profit affordable housing sector to continue to fulfill its mandate in an environment of decreasing government funds available to support its activities. It is the preliminary work in an initiative to provide a resource for not-for profit and co-operative providers of affordable housing in BC and Alberta that are interested in the experiences of organizations that have attempted innovative approaches to financial sustainability and to use the lessons in their own efforts at sustainable operation without heavy reliance on government funds.