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Ontario’s long-term care land use: A call for non-profit prioritization
The Ontario government is currently navigating a complex landscape in its efforts to address the pressing need for long-term care beds. With the province grappling with significant capacity pressures in existing facilities, the allocation of surplus public land has become a focal point of debate.
Advocates are urging the government to ensure that this land is dedicated to non-profit organizations rather than large for-profit companies, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by the non-profit sector in securing funding and resources.
Capacity pressures and the need for action
Ontario’s Long-Term Care Minister, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, has acknowledged the urgent need for additional long-term care beds, revealing that the province is relying on surplus public land to facilitate new projects. “We have identified certain lands in our surplus bundle which we are working through right now,” she stated in an interview.
This initiative includes a significant project in Oakville, where a parcel of land has been sold to Schlegel Village to develop a new long-term care facility that will create 512 beds. However, the question remains: who will benefit from these land allocations?
The case for non-profit prioritization
Critics of the current approach argue that the government’s strategy does not adequately prioritize non-profit long-term care homes. Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario, has been vocal in her stance that public land should be allocated to non-profit and municipal homes.
“If the government has surplus land and they’re offering it to long-term care, then it should go to the not-for-profit homes because they have a harder time raising the funding,” she explained. This sentiment is echoed by Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, who insists that surplus land should not be handed over to private companies, especially given the challenges faced by the non-profit sector.
Growing waitlists and the demand for new spaces
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the ballooning waitlists for long-term care in Ontario. The Ontario Long Term Care Home Association reports that waitlists have surged from just over 20,000 to nearly 48,000 individuals. Alarmingly, half of those waiting for a long-term care bed have been in limbo for over six months. The association estimates that Ontario requires an additional 30,000 spaces to meet current demands, with projections indicating that by 2029, an extra 48,000 spaces will be necessary. This stark reality highlights the critical need for a strategic approach to land allocation that prioritizes the most vulnerable populations.
As the Ontario government continues to navigate this complex issue, the call for prioritizing non-profit long-term care homes in the allocation of surplus public land is growing louder. Advocates argue that ensuring these organizations have access to land is essential for addressing the long-term care crisis effectively and equitably.
