Canadian charities say organ transplant patients can’t afford housing near hospitals. They urge provinces to increase support for those forced to relocate for care.
Patients Face Financial Strain in Fight for Survival
Two major Canadian charities are sounding the alarm over skyrocketing accommodation costs for organ transplant patients who must temporarily relocate for treatment. The GoodHearts Transplant Foundation in Edmonton and StayWell Toronto say that current provincial support falls short, placing critically ill patients and their families under immense financial pressure.
Edmonton to Toronto: A Shared Struggle
Silvio Dobri, a heart transplant recipient and founder of GoodHearts, has helped hundreds access affordable housing near Edmonton’s University of Alberta Hospital. The foundation provides eight furnished apartments at a subsidized $40 per day, with no deposits or lengthy paperwork. For Dobri, who received a life-saving transplant nearly 30 years ago, the mission is deeply personal. “I was lucky,” he says. “Now it’s my turn to make it easier for others.”
In Toronto, the need is even more acute. StayWell Toronto partners with hotels and apartment companies to house patients near hospitals but often struggles to meet demand—especially during peak seasons. “We have no availability until August,” said director Sass Khazzam. “When major events like Taylor Swift or FIFA come to town, prices skyrocket to $2,000 a night. It’s unsustainable.”
Out-of-Province Patients Hit the Hardest
Patients from Atlantic Canada face particularly high costs when receiving treatment in Toronto. Nova Scotia provides $3,000 per month in support, but families say it’s not enough. Verbena Brenton-Goguen, whose late husband underwent a transplant, is now selling their home to recover financially. Nan and Dave Clarke, also from Nova Scotia, paid $5,900 per month for a basic furnished apartment during a transplant stay.
Charities Say Housing Support Is Inadequate
Khazzam estimates that $3,000 per month barely covers costs, even with StayWell’s discounted rates. Meanwhile, more than 10% of StayWell’s current patients are from Atlantic provinces, a number that’s steadily rising. Despite charitable efforts, limited availability and rising rent continue to leave some patients without options.
Each province handles transplant housing assistance differently. Alberta offers no direct financial support, while New Brunswick recently increased its allowance to $4,000 per month. Michelle Thompson, Nova Scotia’s Health Minister, acknowledged the growing need but said funding is stretched across competing demands.
Call for National Dialogue and Equitable Access
Jackie Foord, CEO of GoodHearts, believes it’s time for a national discussion. “Travelling for specialized care is not a choice—it’s a necessity,” she said. “We need consistent and compassionate support across provinces, especially for those from rural or remote areas. Everyone deserves access to life-saving care, regardless of where they live.”
As Canada’s housing crisis deepens, transplant patients are caught in the crossfire, navigating soaring costs at their most vulnerable moment. Charities like GoodHearts and StayWell are urging provincial governments to reassess their support programs—before more families are forced to choose between health and home.
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