Ontario Building More Modern Health Care Facilities at LOFT Community Services
Investments in upgrades, and infrastructure modernization will connect more families to care, in their community
NEWMARKET — The Ontario government is investing $157,612 from 2023-2025 to upgrade and repair infrastructure at LOFT Community Services through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund to ensure people can connect to the care they need, close to home, for years to come.
“Upgrading and maintaining community health infrastructure is one more way our government is ensuring Ontarians receive the exceptional care when they need it and closer to home,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket—Aurora. “This critical investment will support LOFT as it will build the capacity needed to deliver supportive housing programs to protect the health and safety of our vulnerable community members.”
This funding will help health system partners to address urgent infrastructure needs such as upgrading or replacing roofs, windows, security and fire alarm systems and emergency generators to ensure people can continue to connect to care in safe, modern facilities.
“We are grateful for this investment from the Ontario Government’s Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund,” said Heather McDonald, CEO of LOFT Community Services. “This investment pays for required renovations to our buildings and ensures that we steward affordable housing for years to come.”
The Ontario government is investing of more than $228 million this year to support critical infrastructure upgrades, and repairs at 129 hospitals and 58 community health care facilities across the province.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making record investments in the health care system to ensure people are able to access care at state-of-the-art hospitals and community health providers,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This year our government is investing an additional $20 million to allow facilities to modernize and make critical upgrades, ensuring people can connect to the care they need, when they need it, close to home.”
Approximately 80% of people who are homeless also have mental health and addiction challenges. For over 70 years, LOFT has specialized in supportive housing programs, providing clients with intensive case management, person-centered wraparound support and enhancing skills to maintain long-term housing.
LOFT also operates the street outreach van that provides mobile services, food, and supplies at various locations throughout the York Region. LOFT has provided over 200 units of affordable, permanent, supportive housing in the York Region.
Through Your Health: A Plan For Connected and Convenient Care, the province is taking action to expand and modernize Ontario’s hospitals to ensure patients and their families receive the right care, in the right place, for years to come.
QUICK FACTS
- This year, Ontario has increased the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and the Community Infrastructure renewal fund by a total of 10 per cent.
- This year’s increase includes an additional $20 million through the Exceptional Circumstances Project (ECP) Grant which is designed to provide targeted support for the most urgent hospital infrastructure renewal needs throughout the province.
- Community health facilities are publicly funded and provide a range of programs to patients including primary care, community mental health and addictions services, allied health care (such as physical therapy and respiratory therapy) and programs delivered by a public health unit.
- As part of Ontario’s 2024 Budget, the province is investing a record, over $85 billion into the healthcare system. This includes a record 4 percent increase in investments to the hospital sector.
- Since 2018, the Ontario government has added over 3,500 beds across the province. Over the next 10 years, Ontario’s investments will lead to nearly $50 billion in more than 50 health infrastructure projects across the province, adding 3,000 more new beds.
- The government is investing an additional $500 million over 10 years for small hospital projects and community health programs.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care