Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services (CMHA TVAMHS) has announced the opening of the London Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub.
The Ontario government announced in March 2025, a $550 million investment to create 28 Hubs across the province. The program offers immersive, wraparound care that includes, supportive housing, health care, and addiction recovery support.
“Our focus is street level homelessness and getting those folks the support that they need with their addiction to achieve wellness and achieve long-term supportive housing or any other housing that fits their needs.” says Carlos Buschinelli, Director of Hart Hub for the London Hub with CMHATV.
The London Hub will open with 59 rooms, members will gradually be welcomed through a referral program that can be made by anyone (individuals, family, health providers, or community agencies).
This program is recommended for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, are living with addiction and/or mental health challenges, and are able to manage daily living tasks independently or with minimal support. Members must be over the age of 16, and admission will depend on eligibility, space, and service needs.
Front sign of Hub room (source/Joshua Chen XFM)
The goal is to eventually build “peer to peer” support where members are able to mutually support each other and to “create friendship that even after they leave the Hart Hub they can lean on those individuals for that recovery” says Buschinelli.
For the first two weeks, clients will not be able to come and go freely, If they leave, they must be accompanied by a peer.
A code of conduct is set to ensure a safe environment, if rules are not followed, clients may be asked to leave the program.
Vijay Thanigasalam, Josh Morgan, and Terence Kernaghan. (Source/Joshua Chen XFM)
“I think Londoners and everybody involved in that effort should be tremendously proud that we’re on the verge of opening these provincial spaces here in the City of London and across the province.” says Mayor Morgan.
Vijay Thanigasalam, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions shared a story about a client who was a frequent 9-1-1 caller. “From April to June, he had made over 40 calls to 9-1-1, the local Thunder Bay HART Hub took him in and since then there’s zero calls to 9-1-1. He is getting the care and going through the path to recovery.” says Thanigasalam.
The London HART Hub is set to open on Monday, Oct. 27, at the Salvation Army Centre of Hope on 271 Wellington St, and will be run by the CMHA TVAMHS.
“You give us a call, we’re ready for you and we’re excited to welcome them, and provide all the opportunities and services we have here to helping that journey of recovery and wellness.” says Carlos Buschinelli
