Local health centres applied to run HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) hubs because of the pressing needs across the city.
Two Ottawa community health centres have applied to open so-called HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) hubs, saying there are pressing needs for such services both within the city and in suburban and rural parts of Ottawa.
“Together, the two HART hubs will serve a wide geography in the Ottawa region,” write Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches and Clara Freire, general manager of community and social services, in a memo. Local health data supports the need for multiple HART hubs in the city, given the size of Ottawa, “to support the array of people in Ottawa who need wrap around, intensive mental health and substance use care, along with services that focus on housing stabilization.”
The hubs, though, will not replace the need for supervised consumption sites, according to the memo signed by Etches and Freire.
“Open substance use in public spaces in Ottawa will continue unless people have somewhere safer to use substances, whether inhaling or injecting, and unless people have access to mental health and addictions treatment when they need it. Ottawa Public Health is committed to ensuring that people who rely on supervised consumptions and treatment services continue to receive the support they need.”
Last summer, the province announced it would support homelessness and recovery treatment hubs for people experiencing health and social issues related to substance use and addictions.
At the time, Health Minister Sylvia Jones also announced that 10 supervised consumption sites in the province would be closed in the spring because of their proximity to schools and daycares and new sites would not be approved. Those organizations would be given priority to transition to a HART hub in the spring. Ottawa’s Somerset West Community Health Centre is among of those 10.
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On Tuesday, Somerset West Community Health executive director Suzanne Obiorah said the centre is well positioned to lead a HART Hub which would build on supports already provided by the community health centre. She described the planned hubs as a “vital strategy to address Ottawa’s toxic drug and homelessness crises,” but said they cannot be the only supports for residents facing homelessness and substance use challenges. She said community outreach programs, safe public spaces and permanent supportive housing are also needed.
Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre in the Britannia area also made the case to have a HART hub there.
“Today we are urging the province to approve our application so a West Ottawa HART Hub can address our community’s urgent needs,” said Tamara Chipperfield, CEO, Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre. “A west Ottawa HART Hub would save the system money by reducing reliance on emergency departments and offering residents a community healthcare option.” Pinecrest has partnered with other service providers, including Ottawa Paramedics.
The closure of Somerset West and other consumption sites come into effect March 31, 2025. The province is expected to contribute up to $6.3 million per year to each hub, up to $1.3 million for supportive housing. The province expects them to be in operation by the winter of 2025.
Hart hubs aim to connect people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and people with mental health, addictions and substance needs with treatment and preventative services.
