Home/community care groups seek provincial funding increase

There is concern that some home and community care services may not be available without increased provincial funding.

The Ontario Community Support Association, which represents over 200 not-for-profit home care and community support agencies across Ontario, says no increase was provided in 2025.

Speaking to a legislative committee holding pre-budget consultations, Chief Executive Officer Lori Holloway says agencies are already preparing to make cuts in anticipation of another funding freeze.

Holloway says services such as Meals on Wheels, adult day programs, transportation services and assisted living and supportive housing supports could be scaled back or eliminated.

She says those decisions could also have direct consequences on hospitals.

“When community supports are unavailable, people end up in the hospital and remain in the hospital, not because they need acute care, but because the supports required for safe discharge do not exist,” says Holloway.

Holloway says an investment of less than 0.2 % of the total health budget is all that is required to maintain those services.

Agencies also want to know that funding is secure and sustainable.

Holloway says many are well into their fiscal year and have not received word from the province on how much money they will receive.

“That uncertainty makes workforce and service planning extremely difficult and undermines value for money. Stable funding is not a luxury; it’s a prerequisite for accountability.”

Holloway adds that investments in home and community care are a fraction of what it costs to maintain an alternate level of care bed in a hospital or long-term care.

“Home and community care costs just $103 per day,” says Holloway.