Housing Supports
Residential Care Facilities Subsidy Program
Contact Us
Questions regarding the RCF Subsidy Program
[email protected]
Complaints & Concerns
If you have a complaint about cleanliness, food quality, fire safety, health and safety, infestation or maintenance at a facility
Call 905-546-2026 - Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Email [email protected]
- Include your name and phone number
- Address of complaint
- Complaint details including dates and times
Contact information is important to staff in case additional information is required. Submitted information is kept confidential.
The RCF Subsidy Program is part of Hamilton’s housing system that helps people who need support with daily living. It prevents homelessness by making supportive housing in Residential Care Facilities more affordable. These homes provide a safe, communal setting where residents can receive the help they need while staying connected to their community. The program ensures that people who might otherwise live in shelters, hospitals, or unstable housing can find stability, dignity, and improved quality of life.
This program may be right for you if:
- You need help with daily activities such as meals, medication, or care services.
- You would otherwise be homeless or living in a shelter, hospital, or unsafe housing.
- You are looking for housing in a supportive, communal environment.
- You need financial support, in the form of a subsidy, to make your rent affordable.
The RCF Subsidy Program aspires to offer residents the choice of neighbourhood, size of residence, targeted or general client group, single or mixed gender, and single or shared rooms.
- Housing support: A subsidy to help make your rent affordable.
- Personalized care services: Supports tailored to your needs, coordinated with the facility and community agencies.
- Stable living: A safe home where you can participate in the community and improve your quality of life.
The program does not cover specialized health or therapy services. These are provided separately through provincial programs such as:
- Health care
- Mental health services
- Developmental services
RCF Eligibility
Admission to a Residential Care Facility
Eligibility for admission to a Residential Care Facility (RCF) is based on functional assessments, not specific diagnoses. This approach keeps the focus on meeting housing needs first.
All potential residents are assessed by a qualified health professional as to their eligibility for a given facility prior to admission in accordance with Schedule 20 of the By-law.
To reside in an RCF, an individual must meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be able to maintain personal mobility at the time of admission
- Require help with activities such as meals, medication, or personal care (as assessed by a healthcare professional)
In addition to the criteria noted above, if you are applying to a Residential Care Facility in the Subsidy Program, a financial review for subsidy is completed by City staff.
How to apply
RCF Subsidy Program
- Connect with an RCF that is part of the Subsidy Program and ask about vacancies.
- Tour the home to see if it’s a good fit and discuss suitability with the Operator.
- Have a Schedule 20 assessment completed by a healthcare professional and return to the Operator.
- Once approved and admitted, the Operator will make a referral to the RCF Subsidy Program.
- Case workers will schedule an intake appointment to review your income and assets and the RCF Subsidy Program.
Residential Care Facilities
Frequently Asked Questions
- RCF’s are buildings where people live and received 24-hour care services.
- RCF’s can include psychiatric care homes, homes for residents with developmental disabilities, and/or geriatric care homes (also known as retirement homes).
- Retirement homes may be licensed by the Province of Ontario, under the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA).
- There are over 70 Residential Care Facilities in the City of Hamilton and over 40 Residential Care Facilities are part of the subsidy program.
| Ward | Residence | Contact | Accessibility | Demographic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | Adelaide's Residence | Tracey Vaudin | Limited | Female/Male |
2 | Bold Street Residence | Tracey Vaudin | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
8 | CLS Retirement Home | Sonia Brown | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
3 | East Avenue Place | Aaron & Dorcas Haizel | Limited | Female/Male |
13 | Elm Villa Retirement Home | Tonya Barasevic Hannigan | Limited | Female/Male |
2 | Evergreen Manor (One Floor Plan) | Ovid & Shay Whiteman | Limited | Female/Male |
2 | Faith Hope | Yvonne Dunbar | No | Female/Male |
3 | Gage Park Lodge | Henry Choi (Or Mary) | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
13 | Governor's Manor | Tony Sciara | No | Male |
2 | Gradatim Retirement Home | Albert & Muriel Sefa | Limited | Female/Male |
3 | Indwell Community Homes (Elevator) | Chelsea Nethercott | Limited | Female/Male |
3 | J & M Rest Home | Wayne & Rupert Lynch | Not Accessible | Male |
3 | Jerelday Lodge | Wayne & Rupert Lynch | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
3 | Kelly's Residence – Main | Kelly, Peter, George Kouretsos | Limited | Female/Male |
3 | Kelly's Residence – Proctor | Kelly, Peter, George Kouretsos | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
2 | Kelly's Residence – Robinson | Kelly, Peter, Margarita Kouretsos | Not Accessible | Male |
3 | Kelly's Residence – Rutherford | Kelly, Peter, Margarita Kouretsos | No | Female/Male |
3 | Kelly's Residence – Sherman | Kelly, Peter, George Kouretsos | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
3 | Kelly's Residence – Stinson | Kelly, Peter, George Kouretsos | No | Female/Male |
3 | Kelly's Residence – Victoria | Kelly, Peter, Bill Kouretsos | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
2 | Kelly's Residence – West | Kelly, Peter, Bill Kouretsos | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
3 | Mabuhay Lodge | Christopher Sison, Grace Sison & Bryer Desnoyers | No | Female/Male |
3 | Main East Rest Home | Sara Almas & Stefanie | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
3 | Maple Crest Manor | Tracey Vaudin | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
2 | Maxwell's Retirement Home | Lolita Singh | Limited | Female/Male |
14 | Olga Stella Manor | Mayvia Morrison | No | Male |
1 | Pat's Lodging Home | Sharon Walker | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
1 | Queen's Lodge | Jonathan (Joe) Yeboah | Not Accessible | Male |
4 | Queenston Retirement Home | Julieta & Sorin Zahari | Not Accessible | Female/Male (55+) |
3 | Residence On Aikman (Elevator) | Laura Philp & Shannon Rivet | Fully | Female/Male (55+) |
2 | Residence On Catherine | Laura Philp & Shannon Rivet | Limited | Female/Male (55+) |
4 | Residence On Main | Queennie Elegido | Limited | Female/Male (55+) |
3 | Residence On Victoria I | Laura Philp & Shannon Rivet | Limited | Female/Male |
3 | Residence On Victoria II | Laura Philp & Shannon Rivet | Limited | Female/Male |
2 | Sampaguita Lodging Home | Amy Acierto | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
2 | St. Andrew's Lodge | Tracey Vaudin | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
3 | St. Clair Lodge | Wayne & Rupert Lynch | Not Accessible | Female |
3 | St. Patrick's Lodge | Garland Brown & Annetta Brown | Not Accessible | Male |
15 | St. Thomas Mill Retirement Residence | Milad Barak | Elevator | Female/Male (55+) |
5 | Sunnyside Lodge | Valentine Alexander | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
2 | Sunrise Lodge | Calvin Cain | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
2 | Verolen's Rest Home | Yvonne Dunbar | No | Female/Male |
2 | Wellington Lodge | Mariana Johnjules | No | Female/Male |
1 | West Valley Suites (All Single Rooms) | Peter & Phillip Tassi | Not Accessible | Female/Male |
2 | YWCA - West Place | Tara Scott | Limited | Female |
Your rights as a Resident:
- To live in a safe and respectful environment.
- To be treated with dignity.
- To participate in community life.
- To have a voice in your care and goals.
Your responsibilities as a Resident:
- File your income taxes annually.
- Pursue all income sources that you may be eligible for.
- Notify the Operator and your Case Worker of any changes to your income, assets and living arrangements.
There is no defined timeline, as long as your needs do not exceed the level of service provided by the RCF.
- Communal living in a welcoming, clean and pleasing environment.
- Freedom from harassment and/or the threat of violence for both staff and residents.
- Common areas that can be accessed and utilized by all residents.
- Communal spaces for dining and/or recreation and social activity.
- Accessible staffing presence.
- The provision of meal services, support for medication management and cleaning/laundry services.
- As a tenant of an RCF, you have rights under the Residential Tenancies Act
- For tenant-related concerns you can contact the Tenant Support Program at [email protected] or 905-526-2424 ext 1340
- Alternatively, if you require legal advice, you can contact the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, 905-527-4572
- Schedule 20 of By-Law 07-170
- Schedule 20 guidelines Supporting the By-Law
- Safe food handling practices Ontario Food Premises Regulation
Public Health Inspectors check all Residential Care Facilities in Hamilton for Environmental and Food Safety requirements
Yes, the City of Hamilton Licensing By-law 07-170 requires the operator of a residential care facility to obtain a licence under Schedule 20.
For information related to:
- requirements to obtain a licence;
- documents required to renew a licence;
- information on how to change a licence holder or,
- other items related to municipal licensing including if a location is licensed.
For more information visit Business Licences
Call 905-546-2782 Option 2
Email [email protected]
In person:
- City Hall, 71 Main St E, First Floor, Business Licensing
Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm - 330 Wentworth Street N, First Floor, Business Licensing
Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Residential Care Facilities
Additional Resources
If you are receiving a subsidy for your rent, while living in a RCF, please connect with your case worker for more information on resources that may be available to you.
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