Two Ottawa community health centres apply to open HART hubs to support homelessness, addiction
Two Ottawa community health centres have announced their intention to open Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hubs to support people experiencing homelessness and addiction.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The Somerset West Community Health Centre in downtown Ottawa and the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre in the city's west end announced they submitted applications to the Ministry of Health last month to open a HART hub.
The Somerset West Centre on 55 Eccles St. was one of 10 sites identified by the province that would be required to close its supervised consumption site because it is within 200 metres of a school or child care centre. The site would have had to close its safe consumption services by March 31, 2025.
Sites listed as safe consumption sites were exempt from a call-for-proposals launched by the province and were asked to submit a business transition checklist if interested in becoming a HART hub.
The Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre did not previously provide safe consumption services and applied under a separate "competitive" stream for non-profit health providers.
Ontario says it intends to launch 19 new "homelessness and addiction recovery treatment hubs" – or HART hubs, as the province calls them – plus 375 highly supportive housing units at a cost of $378 million.
While the sites will provide mental health services, addiction care and support, social services and employment support, shelter and transition beds, supportive housing, and other supplies and services, including naloxone, onsite showers and food, they will not provide a safer supply of drugs, supervised consumption services, or needle exchange programs.
"This is about meeting people where they are at and engaging along their respective health, treatment or recovery journey," said Suzanne Obiorah, the executive director of Somerset West Community Health Centre at a news conference on Tuesday.
"Our HART hub application aims to care for individuals who need a high level of service and experiencing a homelessness or housing insecurity along with mental health or substance abuse challenges."
The province says each hub can be customized to meet the needs of its community and programs and services will vary.
"While the HART hubs represent a vital strategy to address Ottawa’s toxic drug and homelessness crises, we need multiple, interconnected interventions to best support our community. These include investments in community-based outreach programs, safe public spaces, and permanent supportive housing," Obiorah said.
The centres hope to provide supportive housing services for up to approximately 65 people at each.
Tamara Chipperfield, CEO of the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre, says a west Ottawa HART hub will offer residents a better community healthcare option.
"Local health data demonstrates the need for multiple HART hubs to support the array of people in Ottawa who could benefit from a wraparound intensive mental health and substance use services that focus both on employment and on housing stabilization supports," Chipperfield said.
"A west Ottawa HART Hub would save the system money by reducing reliance on emergency departments and offering residents a community healthcare option. Our proposed HART Hub builds on existing health and social services provided by organizations that know and understand the community’s needs."
The proposed west Ottawa HART hub will offer a mix of health and social services for addiction care, which could include withdrawal support, walk-in healthcare and counselling, other addiction management and housing supports.
Health care and homelessness advocates have raised concerns over the province's shift to the HART hub model and the removal of needle exchanges and safe consumption services.
The Somerset West Community Health Centre has offered supervised consumption services since 2018, one of four that currently offers these services in Ottawa.
The hubs are expected to be fully operational by early next year, according to the City of Ottawa.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Ted Raymond
Ottawa Top Stories
-
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Abdi inquest to hear from arresting Ottawa police officers
-
-
-
-
-
-
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Families of Paul Bernardo's victims not allowed to attend parole hearing in person, lawyer says
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
BREAKING
BREAKING Baby pronounced dead following 'suspicious incident' in Toronto's midtown area
A baby has died after a 'suspicious incident' in a midtown Toronto neighbourhood, police say.
'They squandered 10 years of opportunity': Canada Post strike exposes longtime problems, expert says
Canada Post is at ‘death's door’ and won't survive if it doesn't dramatically transform its business, a professor who has studied the Crown corporation is warning as the postal workers' national strike drags on.
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.
'I'm sure Randy can answer': Liberal MPs defer to Boissonnault, PM Trudeau amid resignation calls
As the Indigenous claims controversy surrounding Randy Boissonnault continues to unfold, his colleagues are deferring questions about the embattled cabinet minister to him, and the prime minister.
Canada closes embassy in Ukraine after U.S. receives information on 'potential significant air attack'
The Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, located in Kyiv, has temporarily suspended in-person services after U.S. officials there warned they'd received information about a 'potential significant air attack,' cautioning citizens to shelter in place if they hear an air alert.
U.S. woman denied parole 30 years after drowning 2 sons by rolling car into South Carolina lake
A parole board decided unanimously Wednesday that Susan Smith should remain in prison 30 years after she killed her sons by rolling her car into a South Carolina lake while they were strapped in their car seats.
Leon's, The Brick under investigation for alleged 'deceptive marketing'
Popular furniture and appliance retailers Leon's Furniture Limited and its subsidiary, The Brick Warehouse LP, are under investigation for alleged 'deceptive marketing.'
Burlington, Ont. woman accused of accepting money for fake Taylor Swift tickets
As Taylor Swift is set to perform her final three sold-out shows at the Rogers Centre this week, many people who have fallen victim to an alleged ticket scam are trying to find answers to what happened.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Atlantic
-
Fall storm set to bring rain and wind to the Maritimes this weekend
Cloudy sky and a gusty northerly wind prevail through the end of this week in the Maritimes. A fall storm will bring a risk of heavy rain and high winds to the region this weekend.
-
Gas prices in N.B. may drop if new legislative amendments are approved
New Brunswickers may pay less for gas soon if new amendments introduced in the legislature Wednesday are approved.
-
NEW
NEW Wanted Pictou County man considered armed and dangerous: New Glasgow police
Police in Nova Scotia’s Pictou County are looking for a man they considered to be armed and dangerous.
Toronto
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Baby pronounced dead following 'suspicious incident' in Toronto's midtown area
A baby has died after a 'suspicious incident' in a midtown Toronto neighbourhood, police say.
-
Families of Paul Bernardo's victims not allowed to attend parole hearing in person, lawyer says
The families of the victims of Paul Bernardo have been barred from attending the serial killer’s upcoming parole hearing in person, according to the lawyer representing the loved ones of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy.
-
Burlington, Ont. woman accused of accepting money for fake Taylor Swift tickets
As Taylor Swift is set to perform her final three sold-out shows at the Rogers Centre this week, many people who have fallen victim to an alleged ticket scam are trying to find answers to what happened.
Montreal
-
Montreal tables $7.28 billion budget for 2025, property taxes increasing by 2.2 per cent
The City of Montreal tabled its $7.28 billion operating budget for 2025 that included a 2.2 per cent average increase for residential property taxes.
-
Northvolt's problems echo in the corridors of Quebec and Ottawa
Premier Francois Legault did not answer questions about whether he still believed in the Northvolt project in Quebec on Wednesday, while in Ottawa, federal Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne continued to display cautious optimism on the issue.
-
REM service to halt on the weekend between Montreal and South Shore
Service on the REM light rail line between Montreal and the South Shore will not run on the weekend.
Northern Ontario
-
Unattended cooking to blame for North Bay house fire, landlord fined
The owner at a North Bay rental home has been fined and seven people displaced after a kitchen fire Tuesday.
-
Swiftie's friendship bracelet beads confiscated at Calgary airport
A Canadian Taylor Swift fan has some 'Bad Blood' with the Calgary International Airport after security staff confiscated hundreds of dollars worth of beads she was going to use to make friendship bracelets.
-
Sudbury pharmacy tech creates a better way to label prescriptions
Avalon Lupini, who has been a pharmacy technician in Sudbury for 17 years, has come up with an innovative solution to a common problem.
Windsor
-
Windsor man pleads guilty in death of his common-law spouse
A 63-year-old Windsor man has pleaded guilty in the death of his common-law spouse.
-
Suspect arrested in connection to murder investigation
A suspect has been arrested by the Windsor Police Service in connection to the death of Dalton Bartnik.
-
Detroit Lions hosting watch party at Canada Life Place
The Detroit Lions are hosting a watch party at Canada Life Place in London soon for fans to enjoy the team’s away game.
London
-
Shooting incident under investigation in London
Around 2:40 a.m. on Tuesday, police said a person called 911 to report finding what they believed to be bullet holes in their home, after hearing several loud bangs.
-
Nurses' association calls out LHSC for opting out of best practice organization
The head of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario is calling out the embattled London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) for not being part of a growing industry standard.
-
Fire investigation concludes, deemed 'accidental in nature'
Around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, crews were called to a home on Gower Street near Oxford Street west.
Kitchener
-
Police release new image as investigation into fatal 2022 Brant County hit-and-run continues
Ontario Provincial Police are hoping an image may provide a breakthrough in a fatal hit-and-run investigation.
-
13-year-old from Kitchener and 14-year-old from London charged in violent carjacking in Brampton
Four teenagers been charged after a violent carjacking in the city of Brampton.
-
Explosives found inside RV after 14 hour standoff in Barrie, Ont. parking lot
Several homemade explosive devices were found inside an RV where an allegedly armed man had barricaded himself for 14 hours, forcing evacuations in the north end of Barrie.
Barrie
-
Explosives found inside RV after 14 hour standoff in Barrie, Ont. parking lot
Several homemade explosive devices were found inside an RV where an allegedly armed man had barricaded himself for 14 hours, forcing evacuations in the north end of Barrie.
-
Young 'high miler' charged with speeding 188km/h on Hwy 400
A young driver may be taking public transit for the next month after police charged him with stunt driving along Highway 400.
-
Contraband valued at over $101K seized at Gravenhurst, Ont. prison
Officials say staff at a Gravenhurst prison seized a package containing contraband, including tobacco and crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated institutional value of nearly $102,000 from a suspected drone drop.
Winnipeg
-
Trial sees texts between men accused in migrants' deaths by Manitoba-Minnesota border
The trial of two men accused of human smuggling is getting a look at messages the prosecution says prove the pair conspired to sneak people across the Canada-United States border.
-
Schools closed; buses cancelled amid snowy weather in Manitoba
A blast of winter weather has caused school closures and bus cancellations around Manitoba.
-
Katherine Dow’s forecast: A gloomy but mild Wednesday ahead
The low pressure system that brought a soggy day to Manitoba yesterday has weakened, setting the stage for improved conditions in the south on Wednesday.
Calgary
-
Calgary gorilla died after being hit by a door: officials
The Calgary Zoo says its two-year-old western lowland gorilla named Eyare died after being hit by a hydraulic door at the rear of the exhibit.
-
Alberta meat scam investigation sees B.C. woman charged
RCMP have laid charges in an Alberta meat scam that saw victims bilked out of thousands of dollars.
-
10 things to do in Calgary this weekend (Nov. 22 – 24)
Ten things to do with family and friends.
Edmonton
-
Alberta appoints Stephen Harper as AIMCo chairman
Former prime minister Stephen Harper has been appointed as Alberta Investment Management Corporation's (AIMCo) new board chairman.
-
Dozens of nurse practitioners now practicing primary care in rural Alberta, with more on the way: province
Since launching a plan to allow nurses to provide comprehensive primary care to rural Albertans in the spring, more than 30 nurse practitioners have started to do so in communities like Coaldale, Vegreville and Consort, the province says.
-
Application of killer in Alberta triple homicide dismissed by appeals court
The Alberta Court of Appeal has dismissed an application by an Alberta man who killed three people in 2015 to extend the period of which to appeal his sentence.
Regina
-
Winter storm creates treacherous driving conditions in Regina and around southern Sask.
Many commuters in and outside of Regina are facing tough driving conditions Wednesday morning following a significant snowfall on Tuesday that has closed highways and snarled traffic on many of the city's main throughfares.
-
Sask. NDP MLA subject of conflict-of-interest investigation for promoting cheese shop
Saskatchewan's Conflict of Interest Commissioner is being asked to a make a ruling on whether pictures posted on social media by an NDP MLA crossed any ethical lines.
-
Saskatchewan teen still recovering in hospital after being set on fire at school
A 15-year-old girl who was set on fire at a Saskatoon high school earlier this fall is still recovering in hospital.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatchewan teen still recovering in hospital after being set on fire at school
A 15-year-old girl who was set on fire at a Saskatoon high school earlier this fall is still recovering in hospital.
-
Saskatoon medical aesthetics business closes, leaving clients out thousands
Clients of a medical aesthetics business in Saskatoon are left waiting for any indication their pre-bought services will be fulfilled after the business closed permanently.
-
'Nowhere to go': Saskatoon community groups rise to offer warm shelter as temperatures plummet
As Saskatoon buckles down for winter, the staff at Prairie Harm Reduction gears up for the influx of people through their doors.
Vancouver
-
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.
-
95K still without power after bomb cyclone sweeps B.C. coast
Several thousand British Columbians remain in the dark Wednesday morning after a windstorm known as a bomb cyclone slammed coastal communities.
-
Young man charged in deadly 2023 stabbing in Downtown Eastside
Nearly one year after a 34-year-old was stabbed to death in broad daylight in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a young man has been charged with second-degree murder.
Vancouver Island
-
95K still without power after bomb cyclone sweeps B.C. coast
Several thousand British Columbians remain in the dark Wednesday morning after a windstorm known as a bomb cyclone slammed coastal communities.
-
BC Ferries: Morning sailings on major routes cancelled due to high winds from bomb cyclone
BC Ferries has cancelled all morning sailings up until and including the 9 a.m. departures on its major routes due to high winds.
-
'Bomb cyclone' batters B.C. coast with hurricane-force winds, downing trees onto roads and vehicles
Massive trees toppled onto roads, power lines and parked cars as hurricane-force winds battered the B.C. coast overnight during an intense “bomb cyclone” weather event.
Kelowna
-
Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops
Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops.
-
Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior
British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year.
-
B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids
A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail.
