Windsor-Essex HART Hub opens

Windsor’s HART Hub has officially opened, offering help to those in need related to homelessness and addiction. CTV Windsor’s Stefanie Masotti has more.

Referrals are now being accepted at the region’s Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub.

“It’s really taking someone from the very beginning of the process and seeing them through in what will likely be a very long journey,” said Bill Marra, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, President and CEO.

The HART Hub is co-led by Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), House of Sophrosyne (HoS) and the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre (weCHC).

It brings together multiple community organizations to help support individuals aged 16 and older facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health concerns.

The HART Hub was supposed to be up and running in April but was delayed.

“In healthcare, you really don’t have the luxury of making mistakes,” said Marra.

“The margin of error has to be zero. When you launch a healthcare initiative you’ve got to get it right from the onset.”

The province committed $529 million to establish 27 HART Hubs across Ontario.

Windsor is getting around $18.5 million for the three-year pilot project.

That money, around $6 million per year, will be distributed to several organizations.

Since it’s soft opening on Sept. 29, the HART Hub has had 45 visits.

“Conceptually, the province thought that they would have these under one roof. HART Hubs with a one stop service,” explained Marra.

“It didn’t make sense for us economically to do that because we have excellent service providers already with existing services and infrastructure.”

Government funding is going to the creation of:

• Hotel Dieu Grace Heath – 16 treatment beds
• House of Sophrosyne – two treatment beds
• Brentwood – Five treatment beds, interim transitional housing units, permanent number of units will be announced once renovations are complete

The Canadian Mental Health Association will provide permanent housing to an estimated 120 placements per year.

The HART Hub model is one the Ford government opted to pursue over consumption and treatment service sites, like SafePoint.

Marra said the challenge is encouraging individuals to seek this voluntary support.

“Sometimes they feel vulnerable. They don’t trust, they’re scared,” said Marra.

“It’s meeting them where they’re at and getting them to trust the organization.”

His message to those who are hesitant is clear.

“This is not a journey that you have to take on all on your own.”

To make a referral click here.