Welcome
to a tour of our

In a world of “focused” housing cooperatives in apartment buildings, Innstead stands alone: perhaps the most scattered cooperative in Canada with 52 properties spread over 3 square kilometers of Toronto, from Jones east to Coxwell, from Queen north to the railway tracks.

We stand on the shoulders of those members who came before us. It was their unique vision that the ideal affordable housing is scattered throughout a neighbourhood. They began with one house in 1976. We bought our 53rd house in 2002.

Since 1976, we have proven the feasibility of our founding ideal. It may seem like 88 units in one, new apartment building would be cheaper than the same in 53 old houses, especially in regard to start up costs. But, over the long term, our scattered infrastructure of is easier to maintain. We have “portfolio” of well built, solid, brick, detached and semi-detached houses. Our largest house, with 6 units, is more than 150 years old. These houses were “tried and true” long before we bought them. Unlike some apartment buildings, we have few maintenance surprises.

We are thankful to government funders who have supported our scattered vision of affordable housing, including:

• 16 houses with 24 units funded by Section 61, (aka 34.18, CSHP)
• 31 houses with 51 units funded by Section 95 Subsidy Pool (aka 56-1)
• 5 houses with 13 units funded by the Toronto Social Housing Program (SHRA or F/P)

We hope you enjoy this tour of our houses