The Supportive Housing Services program operated by the City of Toronto is a community-based service promoting independent living to eligible residents in designated buildings.
The program includes:
- assistance with personal care
- light housekeeping and laundry
- medication reminders
- safety checks
- light meal preparation
- wellness/health promotion activities and education
- referral to community resources and assistance navigating the health care system
Services are provided by Personal Support Workers (PSWs). Through an on-going assessment process, you and the Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) mutually agree upon your service plan.
There is no service fee for eligible seniors. The program is funded by Ontario Health.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible you must be a tenant* in one of the designated buildings and:
- need assistance with personal support and/or homemaking services, or need the availability of 24-hour intermittent on-site assistance
- be 59 years of age or over
- be able to direct your own care and be medically stable
- be able to self-medicate (with or without reminders)
Note to meet eligibility criteria for the Assisted Living Program at Cliffwood Manor, applicants must be 65 years of age or over and not on a waiting list for long-term care.
*To become a tenant, contact Access to Housing at 416-397-7400.
Clients' Rights & Responsibilities
The following are the rights and responsibilities of clients of the Supportive Housing Program. These rights are based on the Connecting Care Act, 2019, the Ontario Human Rights Code, 1990, the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1990. The principles outlined in this document are to be respected by all staff, contracted agencies and clients of the program.
You have the right to:
- be treated with courtesy, respect and free from discrimination or physical, sexual, mental, emotional, verbal, or financial abuse by staff and service providers
- be provided service in a manner that respects your dignity and privacy, and that promotes your autonomy and participation in decision-making
- dealt with in a manner that respects your individuality and is sensitive and responsive to your needs and preferences based on spirituality, values, racial, cultural, sexual orientation, language, gender expression and gender identity
- receive services free from discrimination on any ground of discrimination prohibited by the Ontario Human Rights Codeor the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- receive services in a culturally safe manner if you are First Nations, Metis, or Inuk
- receive clear and accessible information about the services provided to you
- participate in the assessment of your service needs, and the development, re-assessment, and revision of your care plan
- designate a person to be with you during assessment and to designate a person to participate in the development, evaluation, and revision of your care plan
- receive assistance in co-ordinating your services, if you receive more than one home and community care service
- give or refuse consent to the provision of service
- raise concerns or recommend changes about the service provided to you and the policies and decisions that affect your interests, to the provider of the service, its employees, government officials or any other person without fear of repercussions, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal
- be informed in writing of the laws, policies and procedures of the Supportive Housing Program, and the complaints process
- confidentiality of your personal, financial and health related information.
You have the responsibility to:
- complete the tasks (personal care or homemaking) that you are functionally capable of doing independently
- fulfill the obligations agreed to in the client service agreement
- be available for service planning at mutually agreeable times, and to follow the agreed upon care plan
- inform service providers of service changes and concerns as soon as possible
- provide all required information and sign the consents and necessary documents to determine ongoing eligibility to the program
- provide a safe environment for staff and service providers to complete tasks, as outlined in the care plan
- respect the religious beliefs, racial, cultural, sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity of all service providers
- accept the scope and limitations of the services provided by the program
- actively participate in planning for discharge from the program if your needs are beyond the scope of services the program provides
- treat all staff and service providers with courtesy, respect − free from discrimination or any form of abuse.
How to Apply
For an application, call or visit the Supportive Housing office in your building. After you complete and submit your application, the on-site Registered Practical Nurse will make an appointment with you to complete an assessment. Through an admission process, your eligibility for the Supportive Housing Program will be determined.
Health & Wellness Promotion
Appealing a Decision
You have the right to appeal any decision about your eligibility for the Supportive Housing services, amount of service and quality of services. You can do this by contacting Community Programs at 416-392-8579.
You have the option to appeal the final decision about your Supportive Housing eligibility or services by contacting:
Health Services Appeal & Review Board
151 Bloor St. W., 9th Floor
Toronto, ON, M5S 2T5
Telephone: 416-327-8512
Toll Free: 1-866-282-2179
Fax: 416-327-8524
Email: hsarb@moh.gov.on.ca
Service Accountability Agreements
Brimley Acres, Broadview Manor, Cedarbrook Lodge, Dundas-Mabelle, Kendleton Drive, West Don, Willowdale Manor, & Winchester Square:
Cliffwood Manor:
