Hamilton councillor questions ‘surprise’ HART Hub expansion on Aberdeen Ave.

A Hamilton councillor is pressing the provincial government for information after learning of plans to set up a Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub on Aberdeen Avenue.

Ward 1 Coun. Maureen Wilson released a statement to constituents Friday that the Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre (Urban Core) was planning to make 276 Aberdeen Ave., a new HART Hub location.

The HART Hub is part of a provincial initiative aiming to replace supervised consumption and treatment services sites. It is also known as Urban Core’s Mental Health and Addictions Treatment (MHAT) Hub.

Urban Core has a local HART Hub at 430 Cannon St. East, with a satellite location at 70 James St. South.

Wilson said members of the Urban Core spoke to residents about their new Residential Treatment and Recovery program at the new location, during an outdoor event in July.

The councillor said she was surprised to learn of Urban Core’s outreach efforts.

“My surprise stems from the limited information available about the program and its deliverables, as well as whether the undefined program can operate effectively at its identified future location,” said Wilson.

She said meetings with city staff confirmed that “the municipality has no avenue of recourse or control over this site; this is a matter solely within the province’s jurisdiction.”

Wilson’s office submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Ontario Ministry of Health to understand the agreements between the provincial government and Urban Core regarding the new location and the original MHAT Hub.

The city councillor also said Hamilton Centre MPP Robin Lennox has begun seeking more information regarding the facility.

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