A recent study led by Lucie Richard, MAP adjunct scientist, found that homeless people in Ontario are 4.5 times more likely to stay in hospital after they’re well enough to leave, a designation called alternate level of care, when compared to counterparts from low-resource neighbourhoods. This highlights the lack of post-acute care options for patients experiencing homelessness, a gap that shelters are not designed to fill.

Lucie and Dr. Stephen Hwang spoke with Toronto Star about the findings and how Ontario hospitals are expanding their scope to support these patients. They shared plans for St. Michael’s approximately 16-bed recuperative health space for patients who are homeless and staying in hospitals with complex recovery needs, slated for early 2027.