General News

Elected officials experience journey through Homeless Hub

April 9, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Elected officials and members of the media gathered in Barrie on Thursday, April 2, for an in-person look at the client journey through the Homeless Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub of Simcoe County, to experience what individuals go through when using HART.

The group walked through the same pathway many individuals have followed since the HART Hub began accepting clients in June 2025.

They experienced initial contact with the navigation team to connect with a comprehensive range of support. These supports include live-in treatment, community-based services, supportive housing, primary care, and dedicated Indigenous care pathways.

The experience was made possible through an interactive exploration of the programs and partnerships supporting the HART Hub for Simcoe County.

Attendees met with partner organizations, learned how their work contributes to this shared initiative, and explored how these efforts are making a difference for vulnerable residents.

The HART of Simcoe County is a regional network of care teams focused on providing homelessness and addiction recovery treatment support to individuals with urgent needs. The program emphasizes multiple access points and flexible pathways, ensuring a person-centred, accessible, safe, and low-barrier approach to care.

It is designed to support individuals at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, by connecting them to integrated, locally tailored health and human services.

The program will also support Indigenous members of the community through specific service connections to Indigenous team members and services.

Funding for the HART Hub serving Simcoe County was announced by the provincial government in January 2025.

The HART of Simcoe County is a collaborative effort between the Province of Ontario and the County of Simcoe, including partners from Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team, Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe Branch, Mamaway Wiidokdaawin IIPCT, Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

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