Supporting Community through Provincial shift to HART Hubs 

Plans continue for the province to shift from Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) in Kingston to a new model that will provide a variety of services. The Ontario government is funding a collaborative network of clinical, social service and care providers working to deliver services tailored to local needs under the name of a HART Hub (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment).   

 “The Integrated Care Hub (ICH) has shown how powerful collaboration can be when people are met with dignity, compassion, and choice,” said Betty Jo Dean, CEO of Addiction Mental Health Services- Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (AMHS‑KFLA), the lead agency locally for these new services. “The local HART Hub will be developed by the community, for the community, allowing AMHS-KFLA with partners to design services that reflect local strengths and identified needs.”    

“Planning for the future HART Hub is already underway, with AMHS‑KFLA engaging with ICH partners including Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), other community partners, clients, staff and the broader community in this development. The transition to a HART Hub allows us to build upon and expand access to care and offer integrated supports at every stage of recovery and housing stability.”  

Ben Gooch, CEO of KCHC, agrees a collaborative approach to the transition is the way forward and acknowledges there will be gaps upon the closure of CTS.  

“The provincial decision to end CTS funding means KCHC’s CTS services will end on September 30, 2026. This means that drug-checking, needle exchange and safe consumption will no longer be available at the ICH. KCHC’s Street Health Centre will continue to provide primary care, addiction treatment and harm reduction services. KCHC is also committed to ongoing work with community partners, including AMHS-KFLA and the City of Kingston, to support a thoughtful and compassionate transition through the closure of the CTS and the launch of the HART Hub.”  

In response to the CTS closure, a number of efforts are underway to meet the needs of those in vulnerable populations, including from Kingston City Council who will consider a contribution of up to $350,000 to expand community-based harm reduction initiatives.   

“The City is committed to continuing to support vulnerable and unhoused residents through investments in outreach, food security, and harm reduction related services.” Says Jayne Hartley –Director of Housing & Social Services, City of Kingston. “As always we will be working with and supporting our partners through this upcoming transition to a new model.’  

Low-barrier services like the Access & Support Centre, Rest Zone and other ICH programming offered by AMHS-KFLA continue through and after the transition to a HART Hub. The City continues to support the Rest Zone and associated overnight shelter beds at the ICH, which are not impacted by the province’s closure of the CTS.  

Funding decisions for CTS sites are made by the provincial government. In addition, Kingston’s CTS site operates under legal exemptions granted by the federal government which expire in October 2026.