Former Hamilton hospital site to become 2 new long-term care homes, additional housing

The Ontario government is supporting the construction of two long-term care homes and housing by selling the former Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital through the Surplus Lands program, it announced on Thursday.

The proceeds will be used to develop the long-term care homes with a combined 512 new long-term care beds as well as more than 1,000 additional homes, the province said.

Speaking at a news conference at the site on the Hamilton Mountain, Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta said it is critical that Ontario and its seniors be protected by building the long-term care capacity needed to meet increasing demand.

"By selling unused provincial lands in the GTHA, we are finding innovative solutions where they are needed most," Kusendova-Bashta said.

"When the Hamilton site is fully developed, 512 long-term care residents will have a modern and comfortable place to call home."

The program is part of the government's commitment to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.

Mayor Andrea Horwath described the project as "transformational," adding that it is the result of years of focused advocacy and collaborative work.

According to the province, 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.
• Seven acres of land dedicated to Mohawk College.
• Seven acres of land for municipal conservation use.
• The preservation and conversion of Century Manor, local heritage building, into housing.

MPP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, Neil Lumsden, said Hamilton deserves modern, accessible care and housing solutions that reflect the needs of its growing and diverse community.

He said the government is "opening the door to affordable housing, seniors housing, and educational opportunities" all on one site. 

Meanwhile, Monica Ciriello, the MPP for Hamilton Mountain, said the additional beds "will make sure our seniors on Hamilton Mountain and across the city of Hamilton have the support and surroundings they deserve, close to the people and places they care about."

The homes will be located at 290 Fennell Ave. W. in Hamilton and will be operated by Schlegel Villages Inc., the province said.