The County of Simcoe confirmed on Wednesday it has applied to the Ontario government to host one of the "homelessness and addiction recovery treatment (HART) hubs."
In August, Health Minister Sylvia Jones outlined a fundamental shift in the province's approach to the overdose crisis, largely driven by opioids such as fentanyl.
Ontario will shutter the 10 sites by March 2025 because they're too close to schools and daycares, and the government will prohibit any new ones from opening as it moves to an abstinence-based treatment model.
The province said it will launch 19 new "homelessness and addiction recovery treatment (HART) hubs" plus 375 highly supportive housing units for $378 million.
"The County of Simcoe, along with identified key partners recognizes a considerable need for integrated community-based services to address a homelessness health crisis through the establishment of a homelessness and addiction recovery treatment hub," the county said in a news release on Wednesday.
Primary partners included as part of the application are 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.
Earlier this month, Barrie city councillors approved a direct motion to support the County of Simcoe's application to the province for a HART hub to respond to the community's complex service needs, including homelessness, substance use and mental health.
In the news release, the county said it believes the HART hub will increase its efforts to move residents who have been living "rough" or staying in shelters to more stable housing outcomes.
Dr. Jennifer Fillingham, interim CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association - Simcoe County Branch, was quoted in the release as saying the proposed HART hub will offer a vital, integrated response that meets individuals where they are, providing the services they need to heal and thrive.
"We know that mental health and addiction challenges cannot be separated from the broader issues of homelessness and social instability."
Lynn Monague-Sauve, President of the Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC) said they support the hub application.
"BANAC is proud to support this initiative as an Indigenous collaborator and to work with partners to support Indigenous communities."
Communities whose applications have been approved for the HART hubs will be announced by the province in December.
with files from The Canadian Press
