Addressing the Capital Requirement: Perspectives on the Need for More Long-Term-Care Beds in Ontario

Abstract

Ontario has an immediate need for 70,000 long-term-care (LTC) beds—38,000 to address current waitlists and a further 32,000 in need of replacement, which together will cost more than $20 billion. This study examines funding sources and requirements and ownership structures in the LTC homes sector in Ontario. Semi-structured interviews were used to understand the ability, challenges, and willingness of LTC home owners to undertake the needed construction. Respondents identified poor access to capital funding, inadequate returns on private capital, differences in funding by ownership model, differing costs by region, and regulatory obstacles. Policy options are identified to overcome constraints and spur construction and redevelopment of LTC homes.