Midhurst/April 2, 2026 – Earlier today, elected officials and members of the media gathered in Barrie for an in person look at the client journey through the Homeless Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub of Simcoe County. Attendees walked through the same pathway many individuals have followed since the HART Hub began accepting clients in June 2025 – from initial contact with the navigation team to connecting with a comprehensive range of supports. These supports include live‑in treatment, community‑based services, supportive housing, primary care, and dedicated Indigenous care pathways.
This was made possible through a Collective Impact Showcase which featured an interactive experience that explored the programs and partnerships supporting The HART of Simcoe County. Attendees met with partner organizations, learned how their work contributes to this shared initiative, and explored how these efforts are making a difference for vulnerable residents.
The HART of Simcoe County is a regional network of care teams focused on providing Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment support to individuals with urgent needs. The program emphasizes multiple access points and flexible pathways, ensuring a person-centered, accessible, safe, and low-barrier approach to care. It is designed to support individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness by connecting them to integrated, locally tailored health and human services. The program will also support Indigenous members of the community through specific service connections to Indigenous team members and services.
Funding for the HART Hub serving Simcoe County was announced by the Provincial Government in January 2025. Building on this investment, a phased rollout began in late June 2025.
The HART of Simcoe County is a collaborative effort between: the Province of Ontario and the County of Simcoe, including partners from Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team, Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association – Simcoe County Branch (CMHA SCB), Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin IIPCT/ Barrie Area Native Advisory Circle (BANAC), Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. It operates across the region, including in Barrie with support from the city.
About the County of Simcoe
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
