Midhurst/January 28, 2025 – The County of Simcoe, along with identified key partners, is pleased by the provincial announcement of a new Homelessness & Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in our community. The group, which includes partners representing local government, Indigenous and community service providers, and leaders in healthcare and mental health, recognizes a considerable need for integrated community-based services to address a homelessness health crisis through the establishment of a HART Hub.
Primary partners that were part of the original application included the: Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team, Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch, (CMHA SCB), Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin IIPCT/ Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC), Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, and Barrie Cares.
We know that, like in many communities, across our region there is a need for integrated community-based services to address the homelessness health crisis and we believe that HART Hubs will make an impact for those we serve. These considerable investments in mental health and addictions in our region and across the province will make an impact for unhoused individuals who are working to overcome addictions.
This is not something that one organization can do alone. By working with our partners, we are confident that those using the HART Hub will have the support they need to get a healthy fresh start on life.
Since launching its 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy in 2023, the County has been making significant investments and enhancements to social services programs and supports in Barrie and our communities – today’s announcement further enhances this support for our vulnerable population and continues to build on successful evidence-based outcomes. This is just one more way that the County and its partners are #BuildingUp our communities. For updates on how the County of Simcoe is investing in our communities, visit simcoe.ca/BuildingUp.
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“We know that, like many communities, in our region there is a need for integrated community-based services to address the homelessness health crisis and we believe that HART Hubs will make an impact for those we serve. Together with our partners, we will continue building up the lives of residents across Simcoe County and ensure those that are served are given the tools they need to continue a healthy path forward. We’re grateful that the province continues to invest in the County of Simcoe as the regional service manager.”
Basil Clarke
Warden, County of Simcoe
“The BNFC is encouraged by the announcement that Barrie is going to be able to move forward with addressing mental health and addictions in collaboration with all our partners helping to support improving the lives all our community members.”
Samantha Kinoshameg
Executive Director, Barrie Native Friendship Centre
“The announcement of the Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in our region is a transformative milestone. The hub will provide compassionate, integrated care to address the complex challenges of homelessness and addiction, offering vital support to some of our most vulnerable individuals. By improving access to comprehensive, patient-centered services, we are fostering hope, recovery, and a healthier, more inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”
Dana Naylor
Vice President, Clinical, Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH)
Regional Vice President, Cancer Services, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)
“Initiatives that address trauma-informed mental health and addiction needs are a priority for Indigenous communities in our region. The new HART Hub includes housing which we know is essential for health and well-being. As an Indigenous led and Indigenous governed organization, BANAC is committed to a collaborative and respectful partnership that will co-create a HART Hub to meet the needs of our communities.”
Lynn Monague-Sauve
President, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle
“The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT) is grateful for the Ontario government’s support in establishing a HART Hub for the region. It’s a vital initiative that will bring much-needed mental health and addiction supports directly to some of the most vulnerable members of the community. This milestone represents a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone in Simcoe County – including those experiencing homelessness, mental health, and addictions – can access safe, compassionate care where and when they need it most. By working together with our partners, we are taking a significant step toward transforming lives while fostering a healthier, more inclusive community.”
Dr. Chibuike Chizea
Co-Chair, Barrie and Area OHT
Physician, Barrie Community Family Health Organization
“We are grateful to the province for approving The HART of Simcoe. This funding will allow us to bridge gaps and enhance the continuum of care to address the mental health, addiction and homelessness crisis in Barrie. CMHA Simcoe County is committed to working in collaboration with the County of Simcoe and our other partners to launch the HART of Simcoe; and provide accessible and compassionate care to those in need.”
Dr. Jennifer Fillingham
Director, Service Operations, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Simcoe County
“There is tremendous need in the area, and we are pleased to see the province investing in a HART Hub for Barrie. Many vulnerable members of our community will directly benefit from these life-changing services. Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is proud to work together with the HART of Simcoe partners to quickly stand-up an effective service.”
Dr. Nadiya Sunderji
President & CEO, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
About the HART Hub Model
HART Hubs serve clients with complex service needs (i.e. those experiencing a range of overlapping issues and marginalization including homelessness, substance use, mental health, social service support needs and unemployment) through the provision of specialized community supports. These supports may include mental heath, primary care, substance use, addiction, case management for income security, employment and social service needs. These services allow for clients to start to receive treatment, addressing presenting needs and providing a platform for positive long-term treatment outcomes with access to longer-term stabilizing services, including bed-based services.
About the County’s 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy
The plan provides a strong, data-driven strategy to help vulnerable residents and our communities. It includes considerable added investment, enhancements, and support for the unhoused population in our communities. The plan takes a collaborative approach to building up communities, service providers, the business community, and residents. Through this strategy, the County continues to work collaboratively with partners and municipalities to continue to prevent and end chronic homelessness. For further details and ongoing updates to the homelessness prevention plan, visit simcoe.ca/HomelessnessSystem.
About the County of Simcoe
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.