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Simcoe County aims to increase local support for mental health and addiction

November 8, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The County of Simcoe along with identified key partners has recognized a need for integrated community-based services to address a homelessness health crisis, through the establishment of a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub.

The County of Simcoe has applied to the Government of Ontario to host one of 10 HART facilities in the province.

Primary partners included as part of the application are the Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team, Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch, Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin IIPCT/ Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Waypoint Centre for Mental Heal, and Barrie Cares.

Since launching its 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy in 2023, the County has been making significant investments and enhancements to social services programs and support in communities.

In the 10-point plan, the pillars created include improving safety and well-being, creating easier ways to access services, enhancing community shelter services and standards, and finding new opportunities.

The HART Hub is one more tool available to complement these pillars and provide even better support for this vulnerable population within the community.

In addition to supporting this pillar, it is anticipated that this project will help increase the County’s efforts to move residents who have been living ‘rough’ or staying in shelters to more stable housing.

Communities whose applications have been approved to house one of the ten provincial HART Hubs will be announced by the Ontario Ministry of Health in December 2024.

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