I recently toured the HART Hub in Oshawa, and I left feeling genuinely optimistic about the model.
The Hub currently has 10 beds, with plans to expand to 45 at its new location. I wanted to understand what that could mean for the surrounding community. After speaking with the team and seeing the operation firsthand, I feel reassured about their plans.
HART is a recovery and abstinence-based program. People entering the program have made a decision to recover, and the environment is structured around that goal.
The facility was peaceful when I visited. There was no loitering or disruption. Clients have their own rooms and access to therapists, music therapy, recreation and structured daily routines. They also participate in running the facility, including preparing meals with staff support.
I particularly liked the low-sensory environment and the emphasis on simple, healthy routines. Even something as basic as a walking path with distance markers encourages people to get moving and build positive habits.
I also learned that intake happens through Mission United, and a lack of documentation isn’t a barrier to receiving help. Clients can stay for up to two years, recognizing that recovery takes time. Some people may need that full period, while others may only need a few months before moving forward.
I believe HART is something our community can get behind. This isn’t simply about where a facility is located. It’s about helping people recover, rebuild their lives and ultimately become healthier members of our community.
That said, HART isn’t a silver bullet for public safety. It is one important piece of a much larger puzzle. We still need to figure out how to better connect people experiencing homelessness and serious mental health challenges with the help they need.
Mission United plays an important role as the gateway to services, and I think it’s worth asking whether that pathway can be made even simpler and more effective.
After seeing the HART Hub for myself, I’m optimistic about its future in Oshawa. I think this is a model worth supporting, while continuing to work on the other pieces of the puzzle.
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