How a non-profit in Yorkville wants to expand long-term care for Toronto’s seniors

There are around 9,000 seniors waiting for long-term beds in Toronto, according to Maria Elias, chief executive officer of Belmont House, a non-profit long-term care home in Yorkville.

Across Ontario, there are 48,000 people on the wait list for long-term care, according to the Ontario Long Term Care Association.  

To address this issue, Belmont House is seeking to add 11 storeys — which would host 168 long-term care beds and 30 assisted living units —  to their existing site on 55 Belmont St. 

On top of additional beds, Belmont House is looking to expand on community programs such as exercise classes for seniors and recreation clubs for bridge, knitting and other activities.

The Toronto and East York Community Council discussed the proposed development during its meeting on Jan. 14 in City Hall — and was met with discontent from local residents.

Belmont Street residents who live near the proposed development site joined the meeting in City Hall to voice their opposition. Residents cited concerns of sun blockage from the 11-storey building height, loss of green space and the potential of increased traffic congestion during construction. They expressed their dissatisfaction with the community consultation process throughout the planning of the project. A couple of residents also complained that the development would adversely affect the historical heritage aspect of the street. 

City of Toronto community planning staff said they are aware of these complaints and have proposed recommendations in their report to mitigate any potential harms. They also determined the 11-storey addition would not visually overwhelm or harm the heritage houses on the opposite side of the road. 

Mark Richardson from HousingNowTO, an initiative that monitors housing developments in the city, voiced his support for the proposal. 

• Richardson cited the urgent and pressing need for more long-term care homes for aging seniors, especially in the downtown core.
• He also pointed out that Belmont House is strategically located in the middle of downtown with two subway lines just two blocks away. 
• Richardson argued that the city needs to do things with “speed and scale that will upset the neighbours” given the acute crisis in long- term care wait lists.

What was the outcome of the discussions? 

The proposal was ultimately amended by coun. Dianne Saxe and approved by the committee.