B.C. Health Authority Shifts to Small Care Homes
Vancouver Coastal Health is introducing a new long-term care model that moves part of the system out of large institutional facilities and into smaller, neighbourhood-style homes, officials say. This shift comes as the number of seniors waiting for traditional publicly funded long-term care continues to climb steeply across British Columbia.
What Small Care Homes Will Look Like
Under the new plan, Coastal Health will purchase existing houses in neighbourhoods and retrofit them into licensed long-term care sites. Each house will serve up to 10 residents, offering private rooms along with shared kitchens, living spaces and outdoor areas while providing 24/7 clinical care to meet residents’ needs.
Officials say these settings aim to feel more like real homes rather than traditional institutional facilities, helping seniors maintain dignity, comfort and social connection as they age.
Reasons Behind the Change
The move comes amid a rapidly expanding long-term care waitlist in B.C., driven by a growing senior population. A recent report noted that wait times for publicly funded care have risen more than 200 per cent since 2016, with seniors now waiting nearly 10 months on average for a space — up from about five months a decade ago.
Health officials and advocates point to research showing that home-like environments may work especially well for seniors with dementia and other complex needs, potentially improving quality of life while reducing staff burnout, which long-term care workers say is a major issue.
Community and Advocate Reactions
Some senior advocates welcome the model as a step in the right direction, noting it gives older adults a more familiar, supportive setting. They also say staff often prefer working in smaller homes, which may help reduce turnover — a common problem in long-term care.
However, others caution that the new homes alone won’t solve the broader systemic challenges, pointing out that while they add capacity, they still represent relatively limited space compared with overall need. Critics highlight that the province must continue to invest in long-term care facilities and workforce supports to meet demand.
Timeline and Future Goals
Vancouver Coastal Health says the first three small care homes should open in spring 2026, with plans to develop around 200 beds by 2029 as more homes are acquired and converted.
Coastal Health is also working with B.C. Housing and city governments in Vancouver, North Vancouver and Richmond to identify suitable properties, continuing efforts to expand care capacity and improve access for seniors throughout the region.
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