UPDATE:

Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub launch.

April 1st, 2025 (Ottawa) — Today marks the transition of Somerset West Community Health Centre’s (SWCHC) Consumption and Treatment Service to the new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub. This shift reflects an evolving approach to recovery-oriented community health services to support individuals experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and substance use challenges.

Once fully implemented, the HART Hub will operate as a low-barrier, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive 24/7 healthcare model. It combines primary care, mental health and substance use treatment, supportive housing, and health systems navigation offering a whole person approach. The HART Hub aims to address the increasing needs of the community and ensure individuals with complex health and housing challenges can access the care they need for stability and recovery.

Phased Service Implementation
While some services are available immediately, others will be introduced over time:

Effective April 1, 2025, the HART Hub provides basic needs services, including shower facilities, essential supplies, lunch service, wellness activities, and client engagement.
Future phases will expand services to include direct connections to primary care, mental health support, treatment programs, permanent supportive housing linkages, and rapid referrals to withdrawal management and medical stabilization beds.
Phase 2 launches in Summer 2025, followed by Phase 3 in Fall 2025.

Somerset West CHC recognizes the critical impact of losing its Consumption and Treatment Service, as well as associated harm reduction services like safer supply and needle exchange. In response, Somerset West CHC is collaborating with other providers to transition clients to alternative harm reduction programs. Three other Consumption and Treatment Services remain available in Ottawa, and Somerset West CHC will actively facilitate referrals to these resources.

Partnerships for Highly Supportive Housing
The Somerset West CHC HART Hub is working in partnership with Ottawa Salus Corporation, Ottawa Community Housing, Ottawa Inner City Health, and the Ottawa Health Team- Equipe Santé Ottawa to provide at least 65 highly supportive housing units. These units will include access to health services, behavioral supports, case management, and treatment programs, ensuring that housing is paired with necessary wraparound care.

While the HART Hub is an important step in addressing the toxic drug and homelessness crises, additional investments are needed. HART Hubs are one strategy to address these urgent issues, however, a multi-faceted approach is essential. We will continue to encourage investments in community-based outreach programs, safe community spaces, permanent supportive housing, and evidence-based substance use and mental health care. As a trusted, low-barrier entry point, Somerset West CHC’s peer-and community-based outreach teams will continue engaging with individuals in need, building trust and facilitating access to services to achieve long-term well-being.