County of Simcoe Seeks Support for Proposed HART Hub to Address Social Issues

The County of Simcoe has garnered support from the City of Barrie for its forthcoming application to the province to establish a Homelessness, Addiction Recovery, and Treatment (HART) hub. This facility is intended to address complex community issues, including homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges.

During a city council session, a motion was unanimously passed, endorsing the application for the HART hub program. Additionally, Mayor Alex Nuttall agreed to draft a letter of support to the county. Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson, who championed the motion, noted that such council backing is critical for the application process.

City councillor Sergio Morales inquired about the subsequent steps if the application succeeds. In response, Nuttall clarified that while the City of Barrie itself would not receive the funding, the County of Simcoe, which manages these types of services, would be responsible. He highlighted the collaboration with partners such as the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Nuttall emphasized that the County of Simcoe would spearhead any public consultations or feedback processes concerning locations and site selections. He stated, “It will be the County of Simcoe that receives the answer and they will be obviously the leads on the project.”

The initiative aligns with a broader call from Ontario‘s Ministry of Health for proposals to develop HART hubs, designed to support rehabilitation services for mental health, addiction, and social services. The provincial government has earmarked $378 million over the next three years, targeting the creation of 19 such hubs, 10 of which are currently seeking proposals.

The Ministry plans to allocate $6.3 million annually for each new hub from 2025 to 2028, alongside a one-time startup grant of $1.8 million per hub. Proposals must be submitted by October 18, 2024. Mina Fayez-Bahgat, Simcoe County’s General Manager of Social and Community Services, affirmed the county’s ongoing efforts to enhance social services and ensure better access for those facing homelessness.

While the exact location of the proposed HART hub remains undetermined, its potential benefits include adding supportive housing units and addiction recovery resources. However, the hubs will not provide ‘safer’ consumption or needle exchange services, adhering to regulations prohibiting such sites within 200 meters of schools or childcare centers. This has prompted the planned closure of several existing sites in major cities across Ontario by March 2025.