Development

ON

Pilot Cabin Community Capital Funding

$4,000,000

ON

Transitional

Urban

50

Two Steps Home

Housing Provider

DESCRIPTION

Two Steps Home (2SH) is proposing a replicable Cabin Community of micro-shelters, deployed as a nimble “meanwhile use” on vacant municipal land across the GTA. Backed by $1.0M in capital funding, a completed prototype cabin, and support from shelter operators, 2SH is ready to launch a pilot. Cabin Communities cluster transitional micro-shelters around shared kitchen and washroom hubs, with onsite supports that help people stabilize. These fast-to-deploy, low-capital structures are temporary by design and won’t slow the construction of modular, supportive, or rent-geared-to-income housing. When permanent development begins, the entire community can be relocated with residents in a single day. This model helps municipalities guide people from encampments into safe, dignified shelter at a fraction of hotel costs, with better outcomes proven across Ontario. 2SH is seeking capital partners, a suitable parcel of land, council support, expedited utility connections, and a two-year commitment from local operators. With these pieces in place, a pilot can be operating within seven months.

DETAILS

Property Id

Phase

Development

Affordability Framework

Rent geared to shelter component of a resident's ODSP or OW subsidy

Target Completion Date

2026

Total Project Cost

$4,000,000

Total Units

50

Affordable Units

50

Populations Served

Homelessness

Project Funding

Funding Required

$3,000,000 for the remainder of the capital (construction & site work) cost for a pilot Two Steps Home community.

Funds Raised

$1,000,000 pledged by funding partners, along with ~$50,000 for initial feasibility studies & architectural design.

Use of funds

These funds would be used to build a 50-unit Cabin Community, including the cabins, all common spaces, and site work. If the initial site becomes ready for long-term development, the community can be picked up and relocated to a new site, where all cabins can be repeatedly reused. These cabins will allow an initial 50 people living in encampments (and future cohorts of residents thereafter) with the opportunity to decompress, stabilize their lives, build life skills, and become ready for long-term housing.

MAP