Province Approves Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub in London, Led by CMHA Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services
Jan 27, 2025
LONDON, ON – CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services (CMHA TVAMHS) is pleased to announce that the Province of Ontario has approved its Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub proposal for London. This approval follows the organization’s letter of intent and formal proposal submission in late 2024. It marks a significant achievement in introducing a collaborative, low-barrier approach to address homelessness and addiction challenges within the community.
The approval was announced by Minister of Health Sylvia Jones in a live event broadcast from CMHA TVAMHS’ downtown London location.
“This is an exciting step forward for London,” says Pam Tobin, Chief Executive Officer of CMHA TVAMHS.
“When we submitted our letter of intent, we saw an opportunity to integrate housing, addiction, and mental health services under one low-barrier model. Now, with the province’s support, we are ready to move forward and help transform how support is delivered to individuals who need it most.”
Building on London’s Whole of Community Response efforts, the HART Hub will focus on delivering a centralized model that simplifies access to housing, addiction care, and social services. This approach will ensure community members receive support more seamlessly and with fewer barriers. Work with community partners and the City of London is already underway, and the HART Hub is expected to be operational by Spring 2025.
“Our focus remains on supporting the community in an inclusive and coordinated way,” adds Tobin. “We believe the HART Hub will help us bridge gaps in care, foster collaboration among providers, and create more direct pathways for individuals who need our services the most.”
The HART Hub model was first introduced by the Ontario Government in 2024 and is modelled after London’s Hub model as an innovative response to address homelessness and addiction. The first HART Hubs were approved in December 2024.
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About Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services is an integrated mental health and addiction agency providing community-based supports and services across Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, and South Huron Counties. The continuum of services includes crisis intervention and virtual supports, mobile crisis teams, police partnerships, case management, counseling, and community wellness programs for both individuals and their families. Supportive Housing and addiction medicine services are also available. Treatment and service plans are developed based on standardized screening and assessment protocols and procedures. The organization was established in April 2021 when three organizations (Addiction Services of Thames Valley, CMHA Elgin-Middlesex, and CMHA Oxford) united to better serve the mental health and addiction needs of the Thames Valley Region. It is guided by its vision to “provide timely mental health and addiction services, education, and advocacy to ignite hope and support change for all”.
www.cmhatv.ca
Media Contact:
Jillian Driessen | Communications Coordinator
CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
communications@cmhatv.ca | 519-673-3242 ext. 1293