New Whitby facility part of nearly $550M provincial investment to expand mental health and addiction services
WHITBY, Ont. — The Ontario government has opened a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Whitby as part of a provincewide effort to expand access to mental health, addiction recovery and housing-related supports.
The hub is one of 28 HART Hubs being developed across Ontario through an investment of nearly $550 million aimed at improving treatment access while addressing community safety concerns tied to homelessness, mental health challenges and substance use.
Provincial officials say the new Whitby facility will offer integrated services designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability alongside addiction and mental health issues.
“We are building a stronger, more connected system of mental health and addictions care that better reflects the needs of communities and focuses on lasting recovery,” said Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “The opening of this new HART Hub will ensure that people struggling with mental health and addictions challenges in Durham Region can access support services that prioritizes their path to recovery and strengthen community safety.”
The HART Hub model is intended to bring multiple health and social services together under a single coordinated network. Services typically include primary care, mental health support, addiction treatment, employment assistance and housing-related services.
In Whitby, services will be delivered in partnership with the Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC), which will serve as the lead agency for the hub. The centre will work alongside several community organizations to coordinate treatment and recovery programs.
The network of providers involved in the hub will offer a range of supports tailored to local needs. These include mental health and addiction counselling, primary care services, system navigation to connect individuals with available programs, health promotion initiatives, peer support, case management and transitional housing assistance.
Initially, services will operate from an interim location at the Durham Community Health Centre’s Oshawa site while the permanent Whitby facility is planned to open in the 2026–27 fiscal year.
Provincial officials say the broader HART Hub initiative is part of the government’s “Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care” strategy and builds on Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness, which aims to expand integrated mental health and addiction services across the province.
Local elected officials said the Whitby hub is expected to improve access to coordinated care for residents facing complex challenges.
“The Whitby Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub will be a cornerstone of support for those struggling with mental health and addiction challenges,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby. “By focusing on treatment and recovery, this Hub will help residents regain control of their lives while ensuring our community remains supported. This new HART hub reflects our government’s long standing commitment to providing meaningful resources and compassionate care to those who need it most.”
Other provincial representatives for the region echoed that message, highlighting the importance of expanding services closer to where people live.
“Through the ongoing expansion of our HART Hub network, our government is expanding access to mental health and addiction services across Ontario and here in Durham Region. The new HART Hub in Whitby, in partnership with the Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC), will make it easier to access services to navigate life’s challenges. ” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham.
Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge, also emphasized the collaborative approach behind the project.
“The launch of the Whitby HART Hub marks an important step in expanding recovery oriented, wraparound supports for individuals facing homelessness and addiction. Our partnership with the Durham Community Health Centre is ensuring that these essential services are available to residents as quickly and effectively as possible.”
Municipal leaders in Durham Region said coordinated programs that combine healthcare, housing and social supports are essential to addressing homelessness and addiction challenges.
“The launch of this HART Hub is an important step forward in how we support residents experiencing homelessness and addiction. Through our partnership with Durham Community Health Centre and our many community partners, we are bringing co-ordinated, wraparound supports to people who need them most. This collaborative approach paired with Durham Region’s commitment to supportive housing, will deliver better outcomes and help our communities thrive,” said John Henry, regional chair and chief executive officer for the Regional Municipality of Durham.
Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy said the hub will strengthen support networks in the community.
“Addressing homelessness, mental health and addiction requires a strong network of supports. The new HART Hub in Whitby will help connect Durham residents to the treatment and recovery services they need to rebuild their lives. Initiatives like this recognize that lasting solutions come from healthcare providers, community organizations, and government working together. We are grateful to the Province of Ontario, Durham Community Health Centre, and the Region of Durham for bringing this critical resource to our community.”
Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter described the HART Hub model as a shift toward more integrated care.
“The HART Hub model represents a meaningful shift in how we respond to addiction, homelessness and complex mental health challenges in our communities,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “By bringing together health care, addictions treatment, housing supports and social services under one coordinated system, HART Hubs offer wrap-around, recover-focused care guided by compassion and delivered with dignity to support people on their path to long-term recovery.”
Francis Garwe, CEO of the Durham Community Health Centre, said the initiative represents a major step toward coordinated care in the region.
“The Whitby HART Hub represents a transformative step toward coordinated, community-based care for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges. Through the support of the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Region of Durham, and our community partners, we are advancing an integrated model that expands access to care, restores dignity and delivers better outcomes for our community.”
The province says additional HART Hub services planned for 2026–27 will include mobile outreach programs, supportive recovery beds available around the clock, supportive housing options and expanded mental health consultation services. Across Ontario, the initiative is expected to add nearly 900 supportive housing units to help individuals transition into stable long-term housing.