Start-up Funding and Fill Period Policy

Ministry of Long-Term Care, Ontario · Ontario provides one-time start-up funding to long-term care homes preparing newly built or redeveloped beds for occupancy, plus operating funding during a "fi…

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Overview

Ontario provides one-time start-up funding to long-term care homes preparing newly built or redeveloped beds for occupancy, plus operating funding during a "fill period" as the home gradually admits residents. The start-up funding amount depends on bed type, and homes receive 100% operating funding during the fill period as if all beds were fully occupied, transitioning to actual occupancy funding afterwards.

Eligibility

Operator must have an executed development agreement with the Ministry of Long-Term Care for beds that are part of a ministry-approved projectOperator must meet all requirements in accordance with the approved occupancy plan, the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, and Ontario Regulation 246/22Operator must have received ministry occupancy approval on or after April 1, 2026

Eligible projects

One-time start-up funding to prepare new or redeveloped beds for occupancyOperating funding during the fill period at 100% occupancy level as if all project beds were fully occupiedSupport for meeting occupancy requirements, administration setup, staff recruitment and training, and service planning

Financing terms

One-time start-up payment per eligible bed: $2,688 for new beds or $1,536 for redeveloped beds (whichever is lower when compared to percentage of annual level-of-care funding)100% level-of-care operating funding during fill period, calculated as (total eligible beds ÷ 2) calendar daysFill period funding extended to 100% occupancy when it includes statutory holidays or December 24 to January 1After fill period ends, funding transitions to actual occupancy levelsOperators may request extension if exceptional circumstances prevent resident admissions; extension applies retroactively from original end date to when 97% occupancy is achieved

How to apply

1Check eligibilityConfirm you meet every criterion listed above before you start.

2Prepare the project packageProject description, budget with quotes, team, and recent financial statements.

3Apply on ontario.caGovgrant members can draft the application with AI and export a formatted PDF.

4Respond to reviewer questionsMost programs come back with one round of questions within a few weeks of submission.

Additional information

Policy applies to new beds, redeveloped beds, and beds under the Renovation Program for Long-Term Care HomesStart-up funding is received after certificate of substantial performance is submitted and ministry accepts occupancy planFor phased projects, start-up funding is provided before first resident date of each phase based on beds opening in that phaseHomes must maintain safe operations and high-quality resident care throughout the fill periodExtension requests must be submitted within 90 days of achieving 97% occupancyReplaces 2003 Fill Rate Guidelines and 2010 Fill Rate Policy on interim beds; contact ltcdevelopment@ontario.ca for information

At a glanceMaximum$3KMinimum$2KProviderMinistry of Long-Term Care, OntarioDeadlineRolling intakeStatusOpenRegionOntarioOfficial sourceontario.ca ↗

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