‘People will get their lives back,’ Staff argue as London’s Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment hub opens Monday

CTV London’s Sean Irvine with a preview of the site of the new Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment hub.

London’s long-awaited Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment, or HART Hub, is set to open this Monday, Oct. 27.

It is designed to offer a welcoming space for those battling addictions to recover and transition into stable housing.

Situated at the Salvation Army Centre of Hope, the HART hub features counselling space for clients, along with 33 on-site rooms and recreation spaces for clients to reset. This facility is part of a broader plan to address addiction recovery and homelessness in the province.

London HART hub is one of 28 to be opened in the province as part of a $550 million investment by the Ford government.

“Mental health and substance use is a significant issue facing many individuals and families in our communities, and we understand how important it is to support them in meaningful ways,” said Associate Minister of Mental Health, Vijay Thanigasalam, at a kickoff event on Thursday.

CHMA Thames Valley will operate the program with multiple community partners once the doors open.

“It’s been a really powerful journey of collaboration with the entire community and other frontline workers, and other agencies. And we’ve done training and shadowing of other initiatives to really strengthen what we’re hoping to do here,” commented Carlos Buschinelli, the director of hubs for London.

London’s Hart Hub will operate on $6 million annual budget.

The 33 beds at the Centre of Hope will be coupled with 26 existing beds elsewhere.

Mayor Josh Morgan argues it is taxpayer money well spent, pointing out the hub will reduce pressure on London Police and hospitals.

“And so, the province’s plan is a good plan”, he said. “It puts services across this province. It puts services and care where people are and allows them to access services in the communities that they live in, which saves millions of dollars within the health care system.”

In a rare sight at a government announcement, an opposition member was in the audience. MPP Terence Kernaghan later questioned the six-month delay on the project. But in general, he credited the government and those working to open the doors.

“It’s an example of innovation. It’s an example of collaboration. And I’m just so glad that the province has finally found funding.”

Also pleased, front-line caregivers.

Nurse practitioner Sarah Girty has worked in addictions for several years. She expressed optimism that those transitioning from the street to housing will have a better chance of success with the HART hub operating.

“I’m hoping to see people improve on their journey. It’s not always going to be a smooth ride. There’ll be some ups and downs,” she said.

But if HART Hubs work, Girty is confident that a new start is on the horizon. 50 supportive housing units are available for those who succeed here.

“It’s really rewarding to see people get their lives back and find a new purpose.”

While multiple speakers acknowledged the need to measure the success of the HART hub, no one offered a plan for how that would be done.