Stable homes help seniors thrive

A new regional analysis, The Public Housing Dividend, shows how strongly housing conditions shape outcomes for older adults. The study finds that when public housing is kept in good repair and more homes are added to the system, seniors see measurable improvements in health, mental health, and overall well-being.

These gains reflect the benefits of living in buildings that are safe, stable, and protected from deterioration — underscoring how much the physical environment matters for seniors.

By contrast, when funding falls and buildings deteriorate, the losses are significant. Reduced investment leads to 139 building closures and 13,322 lost homes, and older adults see declines across health, mental health, and well-being as conditions worsen and system capacity shrinks. This can mean less access to the networks, services, and care they rely on.

Better housing conditions for seniors also reduce pressure on public systems. Improved resident outcomes contribute to more than 524,000 fewer hospital days and about $1.5 billion in avoided healthcare costs over the evaluation period, driven by investments in renewing existing homes and building new ones.

The study’s message is clear and hopeful: when housing is stable, seniors can stay healthier, happier, and more independent — and the whole region benefits.

The Public Housing Dividend was published by the GTHA Community Housing Collaborative. It was produced by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA), supported by Scotiabank.