Get information on staying in your home as you age, including programs to help you renovate your home to adapt to your needs. Learn about housing options for seniors.

Making changes to your home for senior living

Many of us hope to continue living in our own home for as long as possible. As we age, our needs at home change. Small and inexpensive modifications can help make your home safer, so you can be independent.

If you’re thinking of modifying your home, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers guidance:

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 
Toll-free: 1-800-668-2642 
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-309-3388

Financial help to modify your home

If you need to make your home more accessible, there are government programs to help with the expenses.

Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) : Ontario Renovates Component

This program provides financial assistance to:

  • low- to moderate-income homeowners
  • landlords of affordable rental buildings

Homeowners and landlords can make needed repairs and improve accessibility.

To learn more about the Ontario Renovates program, contact your local service manager. They can:

  • tell you if the program is available in your community
  • determine if you are eligible
  • give you further details

Home and Vehicle Modification Program

The Home and Vehicle Modification Program provides funding for:

  • basic home and/or vehicle changes or modifications
  • people with disabilities that restrict mobility and daily function to continue to live safely in their homes, avoid job loss and participate in their communities

You can apply for:

  • home modifications: up to $15,000 (lifetime maximum)
  • vehicle modifications: up to $15,000 every 10 years

Ontario March of Dimes 
Toll-free: 1-877-369-4867 (press “2” to speak with an intake counsellor)

Property tax relief for seniors and people with a disability

If you own a property and want to add to it or modify it for a senior or a person with a disability, you may be eligible for property tax relief. Examples include:

  • building a ramp
  • adding an extra room

Contact your local Municipal Property Assessment Corporation office.

Municipal Property Assessment Corporation 
Toll-free: 1-866-296-MPAC (6722) 
Toll-free TTY: 1-877-TTY-MPAC (889-6722)

Property tax relief for low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities

Are you a low-income senior or low-income person with disabilities? Do you own a home? You may be eligible to receive relief from property tax increases. Contact your local municipality for more information.

Provincial land tax deferral program for low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities

Under this program, low-income seniors and low-income persons with disabilities may apply for an annual deferral of:

  • part of the provincial land tax
  • education tax increases

A deferral means you put off paying your taxes until you sell the property or transfer the title to someone else. This program is for people who pay their property taxes directly to the Province of Ontario.

Ministry of Finance 
Provincial Land Tax relief 
Toll-free: 1-866-400-2122 
Toll-free TTY: 1-888-321-6774

Housing options for seniors

You may need help deciding what type of housing is best for you or your family member. There are professionals who can help:

  • placement coordinator with Ontario Health atHome
  • community health nurse
  • social worker in a geriatric center or in a family counselling agency

Adult lifestyle communities

Adult lifestyle communities provide independent living homes for people who are semi-retired or retired. You get to own your home and have access to on-site recreational and community activities. Homes may include:

  • bungalows
  • condominiums
  • small homes
  • townhomes

Contact your local real estate agent to find an adult lifestyle community near you.

Life lease housing

Life lease housing means that you hold an interest in a property, but you don’t own it. This type of living arrangement has many advantages:

  • it’s often less expensive than a condominium of a similar size
  • communities may be restricted to people of a specific age
  • requires less home maintenance
  • residents are more likely to share common interests and needs

Learn about this option in the life lease housing guide.

Licensed retirement homes

Retirement homes are typically privately owned. They rent different types of housing options to seniors. You can live in a shared room, a private room or an apartment. Retirement homes usually include support services and personal care. Residents in retirement homes are usually more independent and need less medical care than residents in long-term care.

Learn how to find and choose a licensed retirement home.

Rates and services

  • anyone can apply to live in a retirement home
  • you pay the entire cost of your accommodation
  • you pay for any care services purchased through the home
  • you may also arrange to receive publicly funded health care, or pay an external provider for care services
  • the rent you pay is subject to rules on rent increases
  • the type of residence and amount of rent can vary (for care, services and extras)
  • you don’t need to show medical proof that you need care
  • the home will assess you to confirm they can offer you the level of support you need

Rental agreements in care homes, including retirement homes, must be in writing. They provide detailed information on what care services and meals have been agreed to and what the charges for care services and meals will be.

Before entering into an agreement with a new tenant, the landlord must give the tenant a care home information package that must disclose all the fees and services to be provided.

How retirement homes are regulated

In Ontario, retirement homes are regulated under the Retirement Homes Act. This legislation:

  • mandates care and safety standards for retirement homes (including emergency plans, infection prevention and control programs, assessment of care needs and care planning, police record checks and staff training)
  • contains a Residents’ Bill of Rights (including the right to know the true cost of care and accommodation, participate in care planning, and live with dignity and respect in a safe and clean environment)
  • establishes the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority to educate, license and inspect retirement homes to ensure they meet the required standards

Who oversees Ontario retirement homes

The Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority:

  • licenses and inspects the province’s retirement homes
  • maintains a public register/database of all homes that have applied for a licence or have been granted a licence
  • handles complaints
  • educates retirement home staff, owners, consumers and the public about the Retirement Homes Act

Search for a retirement home in the database.

What to do if you have concerns or complaints

If you see or suspect a retirement home resident is being harmed or is at risk, contact the Retirement Home Regulatory Authority (RHRA).

Anyone who sees or suspects a situation that harms or puts a resident at risk of harm must report it to the RHRA. These situations include:

  • abuse or neglect of a resident
  • improper or incompetent treatment or care of a resident
  • unlawful conduct
  • misuse or misappropriation of a resident’s money

These are known as mandatory reports. This mandatory reporting obligation applies to everyone, including family members, substitute decision makers, retirement home staff and operators. It also includes regulated health professionals, such as doctors, nurses and social workers. Residents are not required to make a report but may choose to do so.

Learn more about making a report. If you have a complaint about a retirement home, contacting the home is often the most direct and fastest way to ensure your concerns are addressed.

If you are unable to resolve the issue with the home through informal means, you can use the retirement home’s formal complaints process.

By law, all retirement homes are required to have a procedure for responding to complaints about the care of a resident or operation of the home.

If your complaint is still not resolved, you may file a complaint with the RHRA.

Learn how to make a complaint to the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.

Email: info@rhra.ca 
Toll-free: 1-855-ASK-RHRA (275-7472)

Supportive housing

Supportive housing programs are coordinated through Ontario Health atHome. These programs provide personal support services for seniors living as tenants in designated residential buildings.

These programs help people live independently in their own apartments. Services include:

  • personal support and attendant services
  • essential homemaking services
  • staffing 24 hours a day to handle regular care and emergency needs

Ontario Health atHome
Find your local branch
Tel: 310-2222 (no area code needed)

Other housing options for low-income seniors

Learn about programs to help you find a safe and affordable place to call home.

Social housing

Social or community housing is government funded housing for low-income Ontarians. It offers rental units at a lower cost.

Here’s what you should know:

  • how long you need to wait for a unit depends on where you live
  • local municipalities and your local service manager coordinate the program

Contact your local service manager to learn more.

Co-operative (co-op) housing

A housing co-op is different from a rental. Residents pay a monthly fee for their homes, but they do not own them. They have an equal say in how their community is run.

When you leave a non-profit housing co-op, your home is returned to the co-operative. It will then be offered to someone else who needs affordable housing.

Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada 
Email: info@chfcanada.coop 
Tel: 416-366-1711 
Toll-free: 1-800-268-2537

Long-term care homes

Long-term care homes are homes for adults who need:

  • help with most or all daily activities
  • access to 24-hour nursing and personal care

Long-term care homes in Ontario are regulated and funded by the government and must have a licence or minister’s approval to operate. Long-term care licences are issued to not-for-profit homes, such as homes run by a charity, and to homes run by for-profit companies. Minister’s approvals are issued to municipally run and First Nations homes.

All long-term care homes must meet provincial standards. Accommodation charges are the same at all homes (although fees for optional services may vary).

If you are interested in a long-term care home, you will need to apply through Ontario Health atHome. Go to the section “How to apply for long-term care” in this guide for more information.

Ministry of Long-Term Care 
Toll-free: 1-866-434-0144

Services in long-term care homes

Above all, long-term care homes are places where people can live comfortably while having their care needs met. Homes have dining rooms and common areas. They may also have other features like shops, salons and gardens.

You can expect to receive the following in a long-term care home

  • an individual care plan (reviewed at least every 6 months)
  • access to 24-hour nursing and personal care
  • help with activities of daily living
  • meals (including special diets)
  • medical services
  • access to health professionals
  • social and recreational programs
  • individualized religious and spiritual services
  • shared dining room, TV room and other living areas
  • furniture in your room
  • housekeeping
  • bed linen and laundry
  • personal hygiene supplies
  • medical or clinical supplies (such as walkers or wheelchairs for occasional use)

Homes may offer other optional services for a fee, such as cable TV, telephone, internet, hairdressing and transportation. 

Choosing a long-term care home

There are many things to consider when choosing a long-term care home. It’s a good idea to start by identifying your needs and wants. Next, gather information about homes and start making in-person visits.

A placement coordinator at Ontario Health atHome can help you find out about homes in your area.

Use the Long-Term Care Home Finder to search for individual homes and get information about them.

It’s important to visit any home you are considering. You’ll want to make sure the homes lines up with what is important to you, such as:

  • culture, language or religious focus
  • a location that works well for family and friends to visit
  • social programs and activities
  • setting — for example, near shops or by a park
  • type of accommodation — for example, a private or semi-private room

There’s a lot to think about. This checklist will help you evaluate each home you visit and ask the right questions.

Read the Ministry of Long-Term Care’s reports on long-term care homes to learn about the home you’re considering.

How to apply for long-term care

Almost all applications and admissions to long-term care homes are arranged by Ontario Health atHome.

When you contact Ontario Health atHome, they will:

  • assign a placement coordinator, who can assess your care and health needs
  • determine your eligibility for placement
  • work with you to complete your application

Ontario Health atHome 
Tel: 310-2222 (no area code needed)

Short-stay accommodation

People recovering from an illness or injury may need short-stay services. Some long-term care homes provide this service for people who don’t need to stay permanently through the convalescent (recovery) care program.

Alternatively, some people choose a short stay to give respite (a break) to their caregivers. This service is offered through the respite care program.

A person can stay up to 90 days in a calendar year in a short-stay program.

Contact your Ontario Health atHome care coordinator to find a long-term care home that offers short stays. They will tell you if you qualify for a short stay.

Find your local branch.

Tel: 310-2222 (no area code needed)

Cost of long-term care in Ontario

The Ontario government pays for nursing and personal care, therapeutic and recreational programming and other support services at long-term care homes. Residents are required to contribute towards accommodation charges, such as room and board. This amount is called a co-payment. The amount you pay depends on the length of stay and the type of room you choose (private, semi-private or basic).

The Ministry of Long-Term Care sets the maximum co-payment rate for all homes each year. These are standard across all long-term care homes in Ontario.

Long-term care homes may offer optional services for an additional fee, such as:

  • cable TV
  • telephone
  • Internet
  • hairdressing
  • transportation

Get help paying for long-term care costs

If you can’t afford to pay the monthly fees for basic accommodations, you may be eligible for a rate reduction. Talk to your Ontario Health atHome placement coordinator for more information.

Your rights in a long-term care home

Residents of long-term care homes have a right to be treated with courtesy and respect and be free from abuse and neglect.

Your rights as a resident are listed in the Residents’ Bill of Rights. Long-term care homes must post a large-print version of the Residents’ Bill of Rights in both English and French in a high traffic area.

Quality of care and inspections

All long-term care homes licensed in Ontario must comply with legislation that sets clear and detailed standards for:

  • your care
  • your quality of life
  • your rights
  • the operation of the home

The Ministry of Long-Term Care does unannounced inspections at least once every year. If a long-term care home is not following the legislation’s requirements, the ministry may apply enforcement measures such as written notifications, compliance orders or fines for offences.

There may be times when additional enforcement may be needed to improve compliance and ensure resident safety.

The Ministry of Long-Term Care’s Investigations Unit will investigate allegations such as:

  • failing to protect a resident from abuse or neglect
  • repeated and ongoing non-compliance
  • failing to comply with ministry inspector’s orders
  • suppressing and/or falsifying mandatory reports
  • negligence of corporate directors.

Complaints about long-term care

If you have concerns about a resident’s care or the operation of a long-term care home, you can report it. Anyone can make a complaint. This includes:

  • a resident
  • a family member
  • an employee of the home
  • a service provider to residents
  • a member of the public

Homes are required to have a written complaints procedure and must post it in a high traffic area. They are also required to respond to concerns and complaints.

If you have a concern or complaint about a long-term care home, contact the home and follow its complaint process. If you are not satisfied with the home’s response, contact the Ministry of Long-Term Care.

Learn about the complaint process or report a complaint.

Family Support and Action Line
Open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week 
Toll-free: 1-866-434-0144

Or send a letter to the Ministry of Long-Term Care:

Director, Long-Term Care Inspections Branch
Long-Term Care Operations Division
Ministry of Long-Term Care
438 University Ave.,8th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N3

Residents’ councils at long-term care homes

Every long-term care home must have a residents’ council. Every resident has the right to participate on the council. The councils are made up of residents who may:

  • provide advice to residents about their rights
  • help to resolve disputes
  • plan activities
  • make recommendations to improve care or the quality of life in the home

The Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils supports residents’ councils across the province.

Email: info@ontarc.com 
Toll-free: 1-800-532-0201

Family councils at long-term care homes

Many long-term care homes have an active family council made up of family and friends of residents. They meet to provide each other with support, share information and may:

  • provide advice
  • help resolve disputes between the long-term care home and residents
  • plan activities

Family Councils Ontario supports family councils across the province.

Toll-free: 1-877-622-9968

Renting in Ontario: Knowing your rights

Residential Tenancies Act

The Residential Tenancies Act governs most landlord and tenant relationships across Ontario. The act:

  • sets out the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants who rent residential properties
  • regulates most rent increases
  • does not cover commercial tenancies

Learn about residential rent increases in Ontario.

Find out about your rights as a tenant.

Landlord and Tenant Board

The Landlord and Tenant Board resolves disputes between landlords and tenants. The board educates people about their rights and responsibilities.

Both landlords and tenants can file an application to request a hearing. After the application is filed:

  • a hearing is scheduled
  • at the hearing, a member of the board will make a decision; if both sides agree, a mediator will try to help both parties reach an agreement

Navigate Tribunals Ontario is a convenient online tool that provides users with information about:

  • legal rights and responsibilities
  • rules and processes
  • steps tenants and landlords can take to manage a dispute

Toll-free: 1-888-332-3234 
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-855-0511

Rent increases in Ontario

Each year, Ontario sets a guideline for rent increases for the following year. The guideline is the maximum a landlord can increase most tenants’ rent during a year.

The guideline applies to most private residential rental units covered by the Residential Tenancies Act, including:

  • rented houses, apartments, basement apartments and condos (read about the exceptions for newly occupied units)
  • care homes (which can include retirement homes)
  • mobile homes
  • land lease communities

The guideline does not apply to units such as:

  • vacant residential units
  • community housing units
  • long-term care homes
  • commercial properties

Landlords do not need approval from the Landlord and Tenant Board to raise your rent based on these guidelines.

New buildings and additions to existing buildings that are occupied for the first time for residential purposes after November 15, 2018, are exempt from the rent increase guideline. 

Learn about the rules for rent and rent increases.

Financial help to pay your rent

Need help paying rent? There are several options.

Rent supplements and housing allowances

The Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative offers:

  • rent supplements: a subsidy paid to the landlord on behalf of a tenant who needs help paying rent
  • housing allowances: a subsidy paid directly to the tenant who needs rental help

Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB)

This housing allowance program pays a monthly benefit to households. This allowance is:

  • portable (you can receive the benefits if you move to another address)
  • based on your household income and average rent prices in your community

The following vulnerable populations have priority for COHB support:

  • survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking
  • people who experience or are at risk of homelessness
  • Indigenous peoples
  • seniors
  • people with a disability
  • young adults

To apply, you must be either:

  • on the social housing waitlist (or eligible to be on it)
  • living in community housing

If you are approved for these benefits, you must agree to be removed from the social housing waitlist. To do this or to apply for the benefit:

Contact your local service manager to learn about this benefit.

Funds to prevent homelessness

The Homelessness Prevention Program helps people who experience homelessness or are at risk of being homeless. It’s designed to help you find the right housing services and supports, including either:

  • emergency shelter assistance
  • services to help you find and maintain housing
  • long-term housing assistance

Contact your local service manager to learn about this benefit.

Housing services for Indigenous seniors

This section lists programs to meet the housing needs of Indigenous seniors in Ontario.

On-Reserve Residential Rehabilitation 
Assistance Program

This program provides financial help to First Nations and First Nation members to fix homes that need major repairs. The repairs are done to ensure the homes are safe to live in or address overcrowding.

What you should know:

  • this program is for First Nations or individual First Nation members who need major repairs to their homes
  • your total household income must be at or below the established limit for the community

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation 
Toll-free: 1-800-668-2642 
Toll-free TTY: 1-800-309-3388

Assisted Living Program

This program helps people on reserve remain independent for as long as possible. It provides funding for non-medical, social support services for:

  • seniors
  • adults with chronic illness
  • children and adults with disabilities

The goal is to maximize quality of life at home and in the community.

Indigenous Services Canada 
Toll-free: 1-800-567-9604 
Toll-free TTY: 1-866-553-0554

Indigenous Supportive Housing Program (ISHP)

Under this program, Indigenous individuals in need receive support services and housing assistance. As individuals’ needs change, the level of housing assistance and supports may be appropriately adjusted. 

Two Indigenous program administrators deliver the ISHP program:

Rural and Urban Indigenous Housing Program (RUIHP)

The Rural and Urban Indigenous Housing Program is administered by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. It provides rent-geared-to-income housing for Indigenous and non-Indigenous households in core and deep core housing need in rural and urban areas of Ontario.