Tuesday, August 5, 2025
The Government of Ontario is supporting the construction of modern, safe and comfortable long-term care homes, housing and other critical infrastructure by selling the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital through the Surplus Lands program. The proceeds will be used to develop two long-term care homes with 512 new long-term care beds as well as more than 1,000 additional homes.
“As our province continues to age, it is critical we protect Ontario and our seniors by building the long-term care capacity needed to meet increasing demand,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “By selling unused provincial lands in the GTHA, we are finding innovative solutions where they are needed most. When the Hamilton site is fully developed, 512 long-term care residents will have a modern and comfortable place to call home.”
The Surplus Lands program also allows for excess lands to be repurposed for the benefit of Ontario families, including for housing, health care and educational facilities. Once fully developed, the Hamilton site will consist of:
- 512 new long-term care beds through the construction of two 256-bed homes;
- 41 affordable housing units and 270 seniors’ housing units;
- 832 market housing units;
- 7 acres of land dedicated to Mohawk College;
- 7 acres of land for municipal conservation use; and
- The preservation and conversion of Century Manor, local heritage building, into housing.
“This transformational project is the result of years of focused advocacy and collaborative work to bring a bold, community-centred vision to life. As Mayor I’m proud to have been involved and am thrilled to see this important project move forward. It delivers real, lasting benefits – new long-term care beds, supportive and affordable housing, and expanded opportunities for learning and care. Together, we’re building a healthier, more inclusive Hamilton,” said Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton.
This innovative approach to building new long-term care homes will help address the increasing demand for long-term care beds and housing in large urban areas, where available land is scarce and costly.
“Our government is streamlining the process for selling underused provincial properties to save taxpayer dollars and accelerate the delivery of key infrastructure priorities, like building more housing and long-term care beds, and creating more jobs,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “The sale of the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital will enable 512 much-needed long-term care beds and more than 1,100 mixed housing units across the city of Hamilton, giving more residents and families the access to critical care they need and deserve.”
The program is part of the government’s commitment to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province, as outlined in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario.
“The new Village of Fennell Ridge will bring much-needed long-term care capacity to the people of Hamilton, and we’re proud to have partnered with the province to expand our deep connections in the city. It’s an ambitious project, combining long-term care and additional seniors housing with affordable, supportive housing at Century Manor and in our Hamilton Continuing Care building, thanks to our partners at Indwell. When brought together with protected greenspace and immense possibility with Mohawk College, we believe the revitalization of the Brow Lands will be something we will all be proud of,” said James Schlegel, president and CEO, Schlegel Villages
Featured image: (Government of Ontario)
