There’s No Place Like Home
Bradford House: A purpose-built solution for seniors requiring deeply affordable, accessible supportive housing.
AUGUST 2025
Improving Healthcare for Ontario’s Senior Population
Ontario’s older population is expanding rapidly, with those aged 75 and older expected to more than double in the next two years, increasing from 1.3M in 2023 to over 2.7M by 2051. The 90+ group will triple, from 143,000 to 495,000.i
LOFT Community Services is seeking $30M in the 2025 Fall Economic Statement to complete construction of the new Bradford House—unlocking $190M in healthcare savings for Ontario over the next 10 years.
i Ontario population projections. (n.d.). ontario.ca. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-population-projections#section-0
Continuum of Seniors Care in Ontario
Goal: Keep seniors healthy, connected, and independent.
Key Features:
• Communitybased supports (e.g., wellness programs, recreation, education)
• Primary care providers
• Public health services focused on fall prevention, nutrition, and social connection
Goal: Help seniors stay safe in their homes with some external support.
Key Features:
• Includes PSW visits, nursing care, rehabilitation, and meal delivery by appointment
• Relies on a mix of formal and informal caregivers (e.g., family)
Goal: 24/7 support addressing complex physical, mental health, and behavioural needs. Permanent housing with integrated care.
Key Features:
• Purpose-built, deeply affordable accessible housing
• 24/7 onsite PSWs
• Onsite staff and services including case management, mental health support, medication assistance
• Connection to needed primary and mental health care
• Meals provided
Goal: 24/7 full nursing support and personal care.
Key Features:
• Round-the-clock nursing and clinical oversight
• Structured environment with medical model of care
• Residents typically require full support for daily living
• Meal provided
Goal: Short-term, acute care for illness, injury, or medical crises.
Key Features:
• Inpatient and emergency care settings
• Includes specialized geriatric care, diagnostics, surgery, rehab
• Includes patients awaiting discharge (e.g., ALC)
Bradford West Gwillimbury is among the fastest-growing municipalities. Its population rose 21.4% from 2016-2021 compared to the provincial average of 5.8% and the national average of 5.2%.ii Over a five-year period (2016-2021) the population of seniors 65+ increased 36.8% compared to Innisfil (29%), New Tecumseth (21.9%), and Richmond Hill (21.8%).iii
Seniors aged 65+ make up 12.9% of Bradford’s population. This is similar to neighbouring areas, but this age group is expected to grow fastest in Bradford West Gwillimbury.iv This demographic shift, along with broader population growth, will strain Ontario Health’s capacity to meet service demands and increase avoidable use of Alternate Level of Care (ALC) beds. Bradford House is a critical response to this rising need.
ii Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2023, October 4). Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census - Bradford West Gwillimbury (Census subdivision). https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/page. cfm?topic=1&lang=e&dguid=2021A00053543014
iii Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. (2025, May 7). 2021 Census of Population - Data products. https://www12.statcan. gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/index-eng.cfm
iv Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. (2025, January 2). Growth Management Strategy – Growth Review and Allocations Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. https://www.townofbwg.com/Final-Growth-Management-Strategy---Background-Report--Growth-Review-Allocations-1.10.2025---Final-Report.pdf
Alternate Level of Care in Crisis
Patients designated ALC are those no longer requiring acute care services but who continue to occupy an acute care bed. In 2024, out of Ontario’s approximate 35,000 beds, 6,100 were occupied by ALC patients who could be better cared for elsewhere. According to the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), nearly half of these 6,100 ALC patients were waiting for Long-Term Care (LTC) beds.v
Prolonged unnecessary ALC stays highlight a challenge in the healthcare system when the community cannot provide the essential care and resources for individuals to age well. Bradford House is part of the solution to meet this challenge.
According to Ontario Health (2025)
Information provided by Ontario Health Central Region
• ALC open case volumes continue to affect acute care capacity, especially during surges.
• Rapidly growing older adult populations are increasing pressure on the health system.
• Social and financial restraints, as well as behaviours, are among the most reported barriers to discharge.
• Community members seeking affordable housing with specialized care are facing long LTC wait lists and growing wait lists for Specialized Assisted Living or Supportive Housing programs.
v Chamandy, Aidan. The Trillium. (2024, September 9). Hospital data shows Ontario’s hallway health care problem is worse than ever. https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/hospital-data-shows-ontarios-hallway-health-care-problem-is-worse-than-ever-9370235
An Essential Step to Living with Dignity
The new Bradford House offers 99 affordable units for seniors, addressing their complex physical and mental health needs. Standing six stories high, and spanning 4,380 square meters, the new Bradford House is twice the size of our current property. Additionally, 30% percent of the suites will be fully accessible.
Strategic Investments in Supportive Housing: Saving Ontario Billions in Healthcare Costs
THE OPPORTUNITY
Looking to the future, Bradford House is a prototype that, when scaled across the province, could reduce ALC pressure, free hospital beds, and save billions in healthcare costs.
AVERAGE COST OF A HOSPITAL ALC BED
$750/dayvi
6,100 beds across Ontario = $1.67B per year
AVERAGE COST OF A RESIDENT AT BRADFORD HOUSE
$225/day
99 residents receiving care in a supportive and lower-cost setting
THE SAVINGS
$525 $19M $190M saved per person per day saved over 10 years saved annually
vi Wyonch, Rosalie. C.D. Howe Institute. (2024, May 10). Fixing the ALC Patient Problem is a Triple Win for Canadians. https:// cdhowe.org/publication/rosalie-wyonch-fixing-alc-patient-problem-triple-win-canadians/
Bradford House is the Solution
Bradford House provides tailored and customizable supports in response to each client’s unique and evolving needs. From psychogeriatric case management that includes assessment, system navigation, appointment accompaniment, to personal care with medicine, and life enrichment.
Bradford House Prevalent Diagnosis 2025
A Model for the Province
Bradford House is the alternative to ALC when LTC is not available or an option. Bradford House is a purpose-built prototype to address Ontario’s ALC crisis. LOFT has expertise and is particularly successful with significant physical and mental health, behavioural issues, and addictions. LTC is often unable to support this type of complexity.
Last year, LOFT transitioned 666 people from hospitals to the community or LTC at a significant savings to the province that could be reinvested into healthcare, infrastructure, or tax relief.
Bradford House is already an essential part of the community. The new Bradford House offers an innovative yet proven approach and is expected to meet the guidelines and requirements for the Rick Hanson Foundation Accessibility Certification, the gold standard of accessibility certifications in Canada.
“ Before Bradford House I was living in the hospital. I had nowhere else to go. I am so glad I was introduced to Bradford House; there is no place I’d rather be.
— GAIL
Building in Ontario
The construction of Bradford House has generated employment opportunities for local tradespeople and construction workers.
Our focus during the building process aligned with the Ontario government’s objectives: to foster a more competitive, resilient, and self-reliant economy, safeguard Ontario’s communities, and provide improved services.
Boosting Trades
So far, around 250 workers from different trades have participated in the project, with an additional 150 anticipated before completion. In total, approximately 400 to 500 people will be employed, involving over 30 Ontariobased companies across various fields such as demolition, excavation, structural work, plumbing, electrical, life safety, HVAC, architecture, and design.
Funding
The total cost to build the new Bradford House is $67M. The project is both on budget and on schedule to open in April 2026. All levels of government have supported this vital project, including the Provincial Government’s $500K contribution through Ontario Health during its planning phases.
• The Town of Bradford, West Gwillimbury through the donation of the land, and municipal and regional waivers totalling more than $3.8M.
• LOFT Community Services contributions including fundraising, proceeds from the sale of the existing property and other equities totalling more than $8.4M.
• HST rebates accounting for $4.8M.
• CMHC contributions totalling nearly $25M. This includes a mortgage and a forgivable loan that was given because the project meets CMHC standards related to affordability, accessibility, and energy efficiency.
Meet Christine
Christine had spent most of her adult life coping with mental illness, arthritis and chronic pain. As her health and mobility declined, so did her ability to maintain stable housing, manage her finances, and get out into the community.
“Ontario Shores was nice—but living in a hospital is not what anyone should have to do. I spent a year there and seriously felt that this was where I was going to die.”
Christine was introduced to LOFT by her social worker, who told her that this was a place that she felt Christine would like and started the initial application. “I went for a tour, met the staff, saw the home and felt that the staff and residents were welcoming. I fell in LOVE with the place and was very eager to move in.”
Bradford House is a shovel-ready, cost-saving investment that directly benefits North York and Simcoe County constituents. With provincial support, LOFT will help more people like Christine move safely from hospitals to Bradford House, where they will get tailored support for as long as needed.
LOFT Community Services is seeking $30M in the 2025 Fall Economic Statement to complete construction of the new Bradford House— unlocking $190M in healthcare savings for Ontario over the next 10 years.
“Bradford House has given me a warm and safe place to call home. I enjoy everything I do: I love singing, writing poetry, and politics. At Bradford House, I’m connected with the resources I need to look after my health and support my recovery and I have the space to do the things I love that give my life purpose.
— NICK
To learn more about LOFT Community Services and Bradford House, please contact:
Karen O’Connor, BSW, MEd, R.S.W. Interim CEO LOFT Community Services koconnor@loftcs.org Office: 416-979-1994 EXT #2023 Cell: 416-428-0607
LOFT Community Services is grateful to be able to offer services in this territory. This has, and continues to be, a home for many Indigenous persons for thousands of years. LOFT acknowledges the Tobacco, Petun, and Huron-Wendat Nations. We acknowledge the other confederacies and communities of Nations including the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. We also recognize the First Nations and their ancestors in the area including, The Mississaugas of the Credit, the Chippewas of Georgina Island, the Chippewas of Rama, Six Nations of the Grand River, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island. Thank you. And thank you for this moment of reflection.
Please take some time to be present, have a moment of reflection and think about how you are acting toward Truth and Reconciliation.
