treesinfall

Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub Coming to Woodstock

Posted on Monday January 27, 2025

Woodstock – Mayor Acchione and members of Woodstock City Council were at Woodstock Hospital today to show their support for the newly approved Oxford HART Hub.

Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs are part of the province’s plan to support safer communities and aim to enhance access to essential treatment and recovery services for individuals grappling with homelessness, addiction and mental health issues. The Ministry of Health announced today that a joint application by the Oxford Ontario Health Team and Woodstock Hospital was successful.

“The Province’s HART Hubs is exactly the type of model we had in mind when we identified a new priority action in our strategic plan at the start of this term of Council,” said Mayor Jerry Acchione. “We knew that bringing together care partners in this type of collaborative approach was the only way we can make progress to address this growing issue.”

In 2023, the City invited community partners to participate in the Mayor’s Task Force on Community and Social Well-being to reduced barriers to service, improve inter-agency co-operation and gain a deeper understanding of the service needs and gaps present in the community. Since then, the team has worked hard to take a more coordinated response to encampments and transition people to more appropriate, stable housing options. In November 2024, Council voted in favour of using the $1.99M the City received through the Building Faster Fund to partner with Oxford County to support the creation of a permanent, low-barrier shelter.

These initiatives, together with the holistic approach to treatment and recovery services available through the HART Hub, will have a profound impact on our community.

“We are so grateful to our provincial partners for recognizing the need and taking action towards addressing the challenge communities like ours are facing when it comes to mental health, addictions and homelessness,” added Acchione.

The City would also like to recognize the dedication, planning, coordination and research that went into developing the HART Hub application. Under the leadership of hospital CEO Perry Lang and the Hospital Board of Trust, the phenomenal Oxford OHT team has been working tirelessly to advance solutions and bring this vital service to our community.

Additional Links

Ontario Building Safer Communities With 18 Additional Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs – Provincial News Release, Jan. 27, 2025

Local HART Hub Application Receives Provincial Approval - Woodstock Hospital News Release, Jan 27, 2025

Watch the Oxford OHT Announcement – Jan. 27, 2025

- 30 -

Contact Us

© 2017 City of Woodstock P.O. Box 1539, 500 Dundas Street, Woodstock, ON N4S 0A7

 

Phone: 519-539-1291
Email: General Information

Back to top

I'd Like To...