Overview

Ontario provides:

  • one-time start-up funding to help long-term care homes prepare new and redeveloped beds for occupancy
  • operating funding during the “fill period” — starting on the day the first resident moves in

This funding supports homes as they open new capacity, stabilize early operations and reach occupancy levels. The fill period allows homes to admit residents safely and at an appropriate pace while receiving operating funding as if all project beds were fully occupied.

Eligibility

To qualify, an operator must: 

  • have an executed development agreement with the Ministry of Long-Term Care (the ‘ministry’) for the applicable long-term care beds that are part of a ministry-approved project
  • meet all requirements in accordance with the approved occupancy plan, the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 and Ontario Regulation 246/22 to the satisfaction of the ministry
  • have received ministry occupancy approval on or after April 1, 2026

Start-up funding

Start-up funding helps new or redeveloped homes prepare to admit residents. It supports operators as they:

  • meet requirements to obtain occupancy approval from the ministry
  • set up administration and operations
  • recruit staff and contract services
  • onboard and train staff
  • plan services and care

Funding amount

Homes get a one-time payment for each eligible bed. The amount is based on whichever is lower:

New beds

Redeveloped beds

Funding timing

Operators get start-up funding once they have:

  • submitted a certificate of substantial performance for the project (or for each phase of a multi-stage project). The certificate must include one of the following:
    • a signature from the operator’s architect confirming the project’s construction work is mostly complete
    • other evidence that the project is complete enough to meet the ministry’s requirements
  • received the ministry’s acceptance of the home’s occupancy plan

Operators are eligible to get start-up funding before the first resident date.

  • For phased projects, operators get start-up funding before the first resident date of each phase, based on the number of beds opening in each phase.

Fill period

The period:

  • begins on the date the first resident moves into new or redeveloped long-term care home
  • applies to projects being built in phases

Formula

Fill period (calendar days) = total eligible beds approved in the Long-term Care Home Development Agreement ÷ 2

The fill period is extended and funded at 100% occupancy when it includes:  

  • any official statutory holidays in Ontario
  • the 9 days inclusive between December 24 and January 1

Homes set their admission schedule to meet occupancy targets during the fill period.

  • They may admit residents at a safe and appropriate pace, including periods with no admissions, as long as the occupancy target is met by the end of the fill period.
  • Operators are expected to maintain safe operations and high-quality resident care throughout the fill period.
  • The admission schedule is part of the ministry-approved occupancy plan.

Under the Long-term care homes level-of-care per diem, occupancy and acuity-adjustment funding policy, operators receive 100% level-of-care operating funding during the fill period, as if all project beds were fully occupied.

After the fill period ends, the long-term care home gets level-of-care funding based on actual occupancy.

Extensions

Operators may submit a request to the ministry to extend the fill period if exceptional circumstances beyond their control affect their ability to admit residents, such as:

  • declared outbreaks, pandemics or other widespread public health emergencies
  • natural disasters or other emergency events
  • labour disruptions and staffing shortages

If approved, the extension applies retroactively and provides funding from the original fill period end date to the date the home first achieves 97% occupancy.

  • Operators must request the extension within 90 days of the date the home first achieves 97% occupancy.

Terms and conditions

Governance

The start-up funding and fill period policy are determined for:

Previous policies

The start-up funding and fill period policy replace the 2003 Fill Rate Guidelines and the 2010 Fill Rate Policy on interim beds.

For more information, contact the ministry at ltcdevelopment@ontario.ca.