Skip Navigation Menu

Government of Ontario Central Web Site

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care




Return to Home Page
(External)

Government of Ontario Central Web Site

Contact us for questions and comments

Site map

Version française de cette site web

Information Channels Public Information Health Care Providers News Media Text Only Version

Index

Public Information Section

Photo of care recipients

Reports on Long-Term Care Homes

SECTION  HOME

Overview of Care Options

Things to Consider

Who do I Contact for Information?

(External) Find a Community Care Access Centre

Care in Your Home

Visiting Health Professional Services

Personal Care and Support

Homemaking

Community Support Services

Residences Offering Care

Supportive Housing

Retirement Homes

Long-Term Care (LTC) Homes

Maintaining Standards of Care in LTC Homes

Reports on LTC Homes

(External) Find a LTC Home

Arranging Care

Finding a Provider

Other Care Programs

Ontario's Aging at Home Strategy

Links and Resources

Glossary of Terms


Seniors' Care : Supportive Housing

Supportive Housing is designed for people who only need minimal to moderate care -- such as homemaking or personal care and support – to live independently. Accommodations usually consist of rental units within an apartment building. In a few cases, the accommodation is a small group residence.

Supportive housing buildings are owned and operated by municipal governments or non-profit groups including faith groups, seniors' organizations, service clubs, and cultural groups. Accommodations, on-site services, costs, and the availability of government subsidies vary with each building. The care arrangements between a tenant and a service provider are usually defined through a contract between the two parties.

Find out more about :

Return to top Accommodations

Singles or couples can live in fully equipped bachelor, or one or two bedroom apartments. In some buildings all of the residents are receiving care, whereas in others, only a small number of residents receive care.

Most supportive housing offers amenities such as meeting rooms, lounges and tuck shops. This housing is sometimes located on the grounds of a long-term care home, allowing tenants to take advantage of some of the programs offered by that home.

Return to top Services

Services typically include on-site personal care and support such as routine hygiene, dressing and washing, daily visits or phone check-ins and can include services like shopping, meals, and transportation.

Residents can also apply for visiting health professional services through the Community Care Access Centre if required.

Return to top Costs

Accommodation costs are based on market rent for similar apartments. They can range from $600 to $1200 per month. If you are eligible, the government may subsidize your rent so that you only pay up to 30% of your household's monthly income. To be eligible for a rent subsidy, you must be a Canadian citizen, landed immigrant or refugee claimant. If you own your own home and apply for a rent subsidy, you are obliged to sell it within six months of moving into supportive housing. Local governments may set additional eligibility requirements for rent subsidies. There is usually a waiting list for subsidized units.

Personal care and support costs are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. You may have to pay an additional fee for optional services such as transportation, recreational outings or hairdressing.

Return to top Government Legislation and Monitoring

The housing portion of supportive housing is covered by the Tenant Protection Act, 1997 . If you move into supportive housing, the provider becomes your landlord. In some cases, the service portion is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and is covered by the Long Term Care Act, 1994 . In such cases, quality is monitored by the regional office of the MOHLTC.

Return to top How to apply

You can apply directly to the supportive housing provider (e.g. municipal housing authority or individual landlord) that you have chosen. Your local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) can get you started by providing you with a list of supportive housing providers in your area, information about the eligibility criteria and, if applicable, the waiting times. Please refer to the Finding a Provider section for tips on selecting a provider and the Links and Resources section for more information.

Return to top Related housing options

Return to top Related links

Return to top


For more information

Call the ministry INFOline at 1-866-532-3161
(Toll-free in Ontario only)
TTY 1-800-387-5559
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
  

Go to top of page

|   return to main program menu   |
|   home   |   (External) central site   |   contact us   |   site map   |   français   |

(External)

This site maintained by the government of Ontario, Canada.

 

Change Text Only Settings

Graphic version of this page