A new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub has opened in Durham Region, aiming to provide coordinated care for individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use issues and homelessness.
The new hub officially launched on Friday and will eventually be based in Whitby, although services are currently operating from a temporary location at the Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) site in Oshawa while the permanent facility is prepared.
HART Hubs are designed to connect people with a wide range of health and social services in one location. These services include primary healthcare, mental health support, addiction treatment, social services and employment assistance.
The Durham Community Health Centre is leading the initiative and will work closely with several partner organizations to deliver care and support programs.
According to DCHC CEO Francis Garwe, the new hub represents a major step toward improving community-based support for people experiencing complex challenges.
“The Whitby HART Hub represents a transformative step toward coordinated, community-based care for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges,” Garwe said. “Through the support of the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Region of Durham and our community partners, we are advancing an integrated model that expands access to care, restores dignity and delivers better outcomes for our community.”
The project is part of the Ontario government’s $550-million investment to create 28 HART Hubs across the province, designed to improve access to treatment and recovery services.
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Vijay Thanigasalam said the initiative is intended to strengthen the province’s mental health system and make support services easier to access.
“We are building a stronger, more connected system of mental health and addictions care that better reflects the needs of communities and focuses on lasting recovery,” Thanigasalam said.
The hub will bring together a network of clinical providers, social service agencies and community partners to offer a coordinated approach to care. Services will include:
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Mental health and addiction support
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Primary healthcare services
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Peer support programs
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Case management and system navigation
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Health promotion and counselling services
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Transitional housing support
Durham Region Chair John Henry said the hub will help improve outcomes for people who need assistance the most.
“Through our partnership with the Durham Community Health Centre and community partners, we are bringing coordinated supports to residents facing homelessness and addiction,” Henry said.
The Whitby HART Hub will work alongside several organizations including GraceWins Peer Support, Victim Services of Durham Region, Lakeridge Health and the Region of Durham.
A second HART Hub in Oshawa, developed in collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association Durham, is also expected to open later this spring.
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter said the model represents an important shift in how communities respond to mental health and addiction issues.
“By bringing together health care, addiction treatment, housing supports and social services under one coordinated system, HART Hubs offer wraparound care guided by compassion and dignity,” Carter said.
In the coming years, the program will expand to include mobile outreach services, group programming, supportive housing units and 24-hour recovery beds.
Provincial officials say the program is part of a broader strategy to address homelessness, mental health challenges and addiction while helping people access treatment and rebuild their lives.
