Ontario ‘HART Hub’ addiction treatment centre coming to Durham Region

The Ontario government is opening a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Durham Region to help people dealing with addiction and mental health issues in Durham Region.

The province is investing $529 million to create 27 HART Hubs across Ontario while also banning drug injection sites from operating within 200 metres of schools and licensed child-care centres.

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) in Oshawa will serve as the lead agency for the new HART Hub, in partnership with Durham Region.

“We are incredibly honoured that Durham Community Health Centre has been chosen as the lead agency,” said DCHC CEO Francis Garwe. “We have a deep commitment to the health and wellness of unsheltered individuals living throughout Durham Region and we are uniquely equipped to support those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.”

“For years,” Garwe added, “the medical and outreach members of our Unsheltered Health & Wellness Team have worked closely together to improve the well-being and day-to-day situations of unsheltered individuals in our community. The HART Hub will be a wonderful way for us to expand our reach and have an even larger impact within the unsheltered community throughout Durham Region.”

“I have been committed to finding recovery-based solutions for those who are in need in our communities,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, a recovering addict himself. “(The) announcement of a HART Hub in Durham is another important step in that direction as it will provide wrap-around services and recovery-based care for individuals struggling with addiction and provide the foundation for their long-term recovery.”

Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes said the treatment centre will be a “cornerstone of support for those struggling with addiction challenges. “By focusing on treatment and recovery, this hub will help individuals regain control of their lives while ensuring our community remains supported. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing meaningful resources and compassionate care to those who need it most.”

Hub clients are those with complex service needs and experiencing a range of overlapping issues and marginalization including homelessness, substance use, mental health, social service support needs and unemployment).

On-site or integrated referral to shelter and/or transitional housing services and other amenities, such as food and a warm shower) are offered to those in need and naloxone is also provided where necessary.

There will also be a provision of support such as mental heath, primary care, substance use, addiction, case management for income security, employment and social service needs.

Durham Region’s HART Hub, similar to existing hub models in Ontario that have successfully provided people with care, will help connect people with “complex needs” to comprehensive treatment and preventative services, said Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones, who called the HUBS the “next steps” in improving access to mental health and addictions services.

“Our investment to create a total of 27 new HART Hubs will keep communities safe and ensure timely and comprehensive access to mental health support, addiction care, primary care, supportive housing and employment services, no matter where you live.”

Planning efforts to create the HART Hub in Durham Region are underway, with proposed services to include primary care and health education; mental health and addiction services and treatment; mental health and addictions supportive housing; and employment and income support.

The new HART hubs locations were chosen as a result of a province-wide call for proposals last summer. All HART Hubs are expected to be open by April 1.

“We are grateful to the province for investing in a HART Hub in the Region of Durham. The new hub will improve outcomes for vulnerable residents through compassionate care, programs and services,” said Durham Region Chair John Henry.

Earlier this year, the province announced that nine safe injection sites in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, Guelph and Thunder Bay will be closed due to being within 200 metres of a school or licensed child-care centre.

With a focus on treatment and recovery, HART Hubs will not offer supervised drug consumption or needle exchange programs.

The only other new HART Hub announced for thr GTA will be in Brampton.