Ontario Opens Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub in Windsor

WNDSOR — The Ontario government is expanding access to high-quality mental health and addictions care with the launch of a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Windsor. This is part of the province’s almost $550 million investment to open 28 HART Hubs across Ontario to protect the safety of children and families, while improving access to recovery and treatment services for people facing housing instability, mental health and substance use challenges.

“We are building a stronger, more connected system of mental health and addictions care that better reflects the needs of communities and focuses on lasting recovery,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “The opening of this new HART Hub will ensure that people struggling with mental health and addictions challenges in the Windsor and Essex area can get the care they need on their path to recovery, while keeping the community safe.”

HART Hubs connect people to a range of comprehensive treatment and recovery services such as primary care, mental health services, addictions care, social services and employment support.

The HART Hub is operated in collaboration with Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH), the House of Sophrosyne and the Windsor-Essex Community Health Centre with support from the Windsor-Essex Ontario Health Team. The Hub is currently operational and actively delivering services through a collaborative network of clinical, social service and care providers working together to connect individuals with the supports they need, when they need them.

Together, these partners deliver services tailored to the needs of the community, such as:

• Mental Health Services
• Primary care
• Food and nutrition services
• Safe living environment including beds
• Addictions treatment groups and peer support
• Supportive Housing support services

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care and building on the Roadmap to Wellness, the province is taking action to connect individuals to integrated mental health and addictions services, where and when they need it.

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“The early success of Windsor’s HART Hub shows the real impact we can make when we invest in compassionate, specialized care for our most vulnerable residents. This progress reflects the Ontario government’s vision for bringing help and hope to those who desperately need it, and I thank all our community partners for believing in this service model that is already making a real difference here in Windsor.”

– Andrew Dowie
MPP, Windsor—Tecumseh

“The Homelessness and Addiction Recovery and Treatment hub in Windsor is a place where people seeking to get back on the road to recovery. Rather than getting needles, people can get treatment, counselling and a temporary place to stay if they are experiencing homelessness. The HART hub is a place where you can get your life back.”

– Anthony Leardi
MPP, Essex

“The City of Windsor thanks Premier Doug Ford, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP Andrew Dowie, and the province for their unwavering support, continuous investment, compassion, common sense, and steadfast commitment to our community. The Windsor Hart Hub will support vulnerable residents by helping them meet their basic needs, while providing key access to supports around shelter services, housing, mental health, primary care, substance use, addiction, and more. Through this innovative program, the Government of Ontario is addressing complex and overlapping challenges that threaten growth and sustainability across the province. With this program roll-out in our region, combined with recent Council investments to enhance and expand Windsor’s temporary Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4), the province continues to stand in lockstep with the City and community partners like Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare to build a safer, healthier Windsor for all.”

– Drew Dilkens
Mayor of Windsor

“The HART Hub at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare represents a major step forward in how our community supports individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. It’s a testament to what’s possible when partners come together with compassion and shared purpose. We extend our gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health for their continued support in bringing this collaborative initiative to life.”

– Bill Marra
President and CEO, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

“The HART Hub reflects our shared commitment to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Together, we are able to respond more holistically to the complex and unique needs of individuals, who are homeless and impacted by addictions and mental health challenges, in a safe and supportive environment. We value the strong partnership of our co-leads and appreciate the support of the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health throughout this journey.”

– Karen Waddell
Executive Director, House of Sophrosyne

“With the support of the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health, our agencies are able to combine our expertise to provide coordinated outreach and primary care services that meet individuals where they are. This collaboration enhances access to essential medical care, treatment, housing supports and wrap-around services for people experiencing homelessness and addiction. Together, we are strengthening pathways to stability, recovery and meaningful connection within our community.”

– Nancy Brockenshire
Executive Director, Windsor Essex Community Health Centre

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