BSH ResearchPartna Housing – Scattered Housing Trust Model Design

Partna Housing – Scattered Housing Trust Model Design

Last modified:

August 27, 2026

This project examined the feasibility of a new trust structure for holding scattered-site housing, through a pilot called Partna.

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What conditions make single- and semi-detached homeowners willing to partner in a scattered community housing trust?

Partna provides financing (private, charitable, and government), planning, and other supports to create affordable housing through partnerships with homeowners, forming a scattered community housing trust. These partnerships use financial tools, policies, and incentives to build affordable housing through new storeys, basement improvements, laneway home construction, or other improvements, with the scattered portfolio managed through co-ownership, lease, and other agreements.

Project Lead(s):

Cheryll Case

Home Organization:

University of Toronto

Other Participants:

Alan Walks, Susannah Bunce

Community Partner:

CP Planning

Funding Stream:

Community-Focused Project

Project Status:

Completed

Background

Between 2001 and 2016, Toronto permitted the demolition and reconstruction of over 9,000 detached homes into larger and more expensive single-family housing. Neighbourhoods are gentrifying as single or semi-detached homes grow in size, without a concurrent growth in community benefit. Rather than transitioning single- or semi-detached housing into luxury homes, Partna is designed to build affordable housing and wealth among marginalized residents, up to the missing middle scale, in partnership with single- or semi-detached homeowners.

Methodology

First, the project explored the pilot assembly site in collaboration with the City of Toronto, Keesmaat Group, and KPMB. Second, it undertook a thorough analysis of 130+ survey results received via the Partna community survey which includes analysis of survey responses, the planning, urban design and architectural analysis of properties owned by interested homeowners, and the establishment of typologies based on responses. Third, the project developed a venture model and governance model for operating multiple affordable housing sites, engaging survey respondents and workshopping with advisors, government leaders, and other industry experts.

Results

The project produced a research webinar, a podcast episode, a report summary, a presentation, and a website. Survey results show that many residents expressed interest in collaborating through the Partna model, whether through monthly payments or a one-time lump sum, with high desirability for the construction of laneway and garden suites for housing development.