Northeastern Ont. homelessness and addiction hubs still in planning stages
Ontario Minister of Health previously said goal was to have hubs open by April 1, 2025
The Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs promised by the Ford government shortly after it banned supervised drug consumption sites have yet to open in northeastern Ontario.
On the eve of the Ontario election, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said the goal was for these facilities to be operational by April 1, 2025.
CMHA Algoma, the agency running the hub in Sault Ste. Marie, has recently submitted its budget template to the government and hopes to receive provincial funding in the next month.
In the meantime, it is working on mapping out next steps, like renovations, infrastructure development and how to deliver services to the community.
"We're a little ways away right now," said Lisa Case, CEO of CMHA Algoma.
"We do have some services in place… and we're anxiously and actively preparing for what an expansion might look like, including recruitment."
Case says the agency has to be cautious about hiring staff until the province confirms funding for the hub.
"It can take some time so we wanted to get that in motion knowing that if money doesn't flow for some reason we would have to rescind those postings."
Case says CMHA Algoma is "pretty confident" money will come through, but more time could be needed.
Currently community partners are pitching in to run services out of the HART hub location, but it's a "somewhat limited but passionate effort," according to Case.
Funding could be a game changer, helping expand consistent service hours and fund initiatives like the wellness bus.
It's set to make a significant difference when it comes to supportive housing, although the funding won't be enough to meet all the needs.
"My understanding is we would need at least 80, up to maybe 150 supported housing units," she said. "That's a far bigger investment than the HART hubs will allow."
Hiring process underway in Sudbury
The HART hub in Sudbury has confirmed funding, and Health Sciences North is actively hiring staff for the project there.
"We're in the home stretch," said Tyler Campbell, director of children and social services with the City of Greater Sudbury.
He says there are still logistics to sort out, including moving furniture into the building.
Currently the city is running a HART hub-like pilot project with 13 individuals who are housed in a motel.
These people will be the first ones to move into the HART hub on a trial basis.
"I would say we're within weeks of that happening," said Campbell. "We're seeing great outcomes so far in terms of those 13 individuals."
He says a lot of work is underway to open as quickly as possible.
With files from Aya Dufour