This article is updated and corrected, see note at end.
In 2015, the City is increasing increased the per diem for its subsidized residential care facilities (RCFs) from $48.25 to $50, and scaling back the number of subsidies to afford the increase without increasing the overall budget in 2016.
The City will now fund 740 spaces instead of the previous 765 spaces
The per diem was increased starting two years ago in response to RCF operators saying the previous rate of $47.75 was not sufficient to cover the cost of providing city mandated servicess.
During the January 18, 2016, Emergency and Community Services meeting, Councillors heard a delegation from Calvin Cain of the Ontario Homes for Special Needs Association who expressed concern about the impact of decreasing the number of subsidized spaces funded by the City.
Councillors heard the delegation, discussed the background of the funding change, and noted they are calling on the province to increase funding for RCFs spaces.
The decision needs to be officially ratified by Council at Wednesday’s full Council meeting.
CORRECTION: The increase was already approved. The report at this meeting was information for Council. It was received with no amendments.
Per Diems for RCF Increased, Funded Spaces Decreased to Maintain Budget.
