Continuing Care Capital Program

Overview

It is estimated 1 in 5 Albertans will be 65+ by 2046 – that is more than 1.2 million people.

The need for community care and continuing care is expected to rise significantly over the next 10 years as Albertans are living longer with increasingly complex needs. There is an identified need to develop specialized housing options that can address the unique care and supports for people living with dementia, young adults with disabilities and others living with overlapping health needs.

The Continuing Care Capital Program was announced in March 2021 to increase the number of continuing care spaces and modernize existing aging continuing care homes in Alberta. The program is comprised of multiple grant-funding streams to:

• develop continuing care capacity with Indigenous groups and organizations
• modernize existing facilities
• develop new spaces in priority communities
• develop small care home settings

A capital grant process is now available to develop small care home environments for 4 to 14 residents.

Capital grant processes focused on generating new continuing care capacity in priority communities will be introduced in the future.

Funding

The Alberta government has committed $310 million over 3 years in Budget 2023 for the multiple grant streams within the Continuing Care Capital Program. The amount of this funding allocated to each grant stream will be determined by several variables within each grant stream. This includes:

• the number of applications received
• alignment with Alberta Health Services’ capacity need
• number of projects the evaluation team recommends
• ministerial approval

Small Care Home Stream

The Continuing Care Capital Program – Small Care Home Stream will provide capital funding to support the development of standalone homes that would house 4 to 14 residents. This funding stream is flexible to support the diverse needs of Albertans, as small care homes can:

• be built in small, rural and remote communities that do not need a large continuing care facility that requires a large staff complement
• support populations with complex health needs that are underserved by current housing options and provide relief to their families and caregivers
• effectively cohort populations, such as people living with dementia and young adults living with disabilities, in residential settings designed to meet their unique needs
• expand access to mental health and addictions residential community care options
• enable Albertans to age in their communities close to family and friends

Eligibility criteria

Grant funding is open to not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, housing management bodies, and municipalities.

Eligible applicants may apply to the program (started April 25, 2023).

The application submission closing date has been extended to 4:30 pm on November 30, 2023.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate they:

• will be financially viable and operationally sustainable
• will support Albertans with health care needs in either long-term care, designated supportive living, or licensed supportive living settings
• are in alignment with Alberta Health Services’ capacity needs for identified populations and communities
• are compliant with the maximum resident accommodation charges set by government and legislated service requirements
• have operational funding sources for accommodation and care

How to apply

To apply for the Small Care Home Stream, download and complete the application documents:

• Grant Application Process (PDF, 514 KB)
• Grant Submission Requirements (PDF, 201 KB)
• Business Case Application Form Guide (PDF, 415 KB)
• Business Case Application Form (XLSX, 89 KB)
• Small Care Home Design Requirements Checklist (PDF, 1.1 MB)
• Design Guidelines for Specialty Populations (PDF, 574 KB)
• Barrier-Free Design Guide
• Email response update (PDF, 267 KB)

Indigenous Stream

The first intake of grants closed in December 2021. We are working to complete final steps of the process. A second intake of grant applications for Indigenous groups is expected later this year.

Modernization Stream

The grant intake for applications closed on January 6, 2023. We are reviewing applications and will notify applicants once the results have been determined.

News

• Improving continuing care spaces for Albertans (April 25, 2023)
• Better continuing care for Indigenous people (March 16, 2023)
• Grant call to modernize continuing care homes (September 20, 2022)
• Expanding Indigenous continuing care (August 19, 2021)

Contact

Connect with the Continuing Care Capital Program:
Email: [email protected]