The Ontario government has announced plans to build a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hub in Oshawa.

The facility is the second of its kind that will open in Durham Region and is part of the province’s plan to support safer communities by investing almost $550 million to create a total of 28 HART Hubs across the province.

Durham Region’s HART Hubs, similar to existing hub models in Ontario, will reflect regional priorities by connecting people with complex needs to comprehensive treatment and preventative services.

Planning of the new HART Hub in Oshawa is underway. Its services could include: primary care, mental health and addiction services and supportive housing, and social services and employment supports.

"Our government is helping more people get the treatment and support they need, when and where they need it, by taking the next step to improve access to mental health and addictions services,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Our investment to create a total of 28 new HART Hubs will keep communities safe and ensure timely and comprehensive access to mental health support, addiction care, primary care, supportive housing and employment services.”

Earlier this year, the province announced that nine drug injection sites that are required to close due to being located near a school or licensed child-care centre have been approved to transition into HART Hubs.

"The second HART Hub in Durham reflects our government’s commitment to expanding integrated mental health and addictions services in Durham Region, ensuring residents can access support closer to home," said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “This announcement is part of our ongoing commitment to keep communities safe, while delivering compassionate, recovery-focused care for all in need.”

The creation of HART Hubs is being done in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.