A new addiction treatment center in London, Ontario, funded by the province, is set to start admitting individuals after a nine-month delay since being proposed by the health minister. The Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hub will officially launch its services on Monday, as confirmed by officials today. A 24-hour referral hotline will become operational on the same day, catering to inquiries from service providers, family members, medical professionals, and others interested in referring individuals to the program.
Carlos Buschinelli, the director of HART hubs in London, emphasized the readiness of the system to assist callers in need, starting at 7 a.m. “Our system navigators are prepared to guide you through the process over the phone, assess your requirements, and ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the HART hub,” Buschinelli stated. The Ontario government’s plan, announced in January, includes the establishment of 19 new HART hubs across the province, with one based in London.
The London hub, located at the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope on Wellington Street, will receive an annual budget of $6.3 million for the next three years to cover operational costs. These hubs aim to provide comprehensive support to individuals facing addiction and homelessness to facilitate their transition to supportive housing. Services offered include detox programs, addiction recovery treatment, mental health assistance, primary healthcare, and essential needs support.
The funding will support 26 beds with provisions at the recovery community center within the Centre of Hope, which has been operational for the past five years. Additionally, 33 new beds will be made available for individuals to stay for a period of three to six months before moving into supportive housing. Buschinelli highlighted the coordinated efforts within the programs to assist individuals in areas such as housing, finances, and benefits transitions.
London’s initiative, announced in 2023 under the Whole of Community Response, aimed to establish up to 15 hubs; however, Mayor Josh Morgan has shifted focus from this target. The city has already opened two hubs, managed by Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) and an Indigenous-operated hub by Atlohsa. Mayor Josh Morgan and Vijay Thanigasalam, the associate minister of mental health and addictions, attended a walkthrough of the new hub.
Access to the program is strictly by referral, and for the initial two weeks, participants are required to remain on-site unless accompanied by a peer if leaving. Visits from outsiders are prohibited during the stay, and the use of drugs and alcohol is strictly forbidden. Individuals found violating these rules may undergo the withdrawal management process, including detoxification and recovery support.