Understanding the Population Health Needs of Tenants in Residential Care Facilities (RCFs) in Hamilton, Ontario

Little is known about domiciliary hostels (known as residential care facilities [RCFs] in Hamilton, Ontario) for those needing affordable housing and minimal supports. Our multiple-methods study examined the characteristics and health needs of 36 RCF tenants across four RCFs. We found that 64.4% of participants were 50+ years old, 22.2% had ever been unhoused, 77.4% had comorbid physical and mental illness and 83.3% had been hospitalized. Financial resources, capacity for work and physical pain were key quality-of-life concerns. A whole-systems approach involving healthcare, social care and housing is needed to serve this marginalized and aging population.