Community Engagement

Community Engagement Meeting

This page shares materials from the June 23, 2026 Community Engagement Meeting, including the meeting presentation, frequently asked questions, and key updates about the HART Hub Residential Treatment and Recovery Services.

Meeting Details

Tonight's session

Date
June 23, 2026
Time
6:30 PM
Venue
McMaster Innovation Park
Meeting Overview

About this meeting

This page shares materials from the June 23, 2026 Community Engagement Meeting, including the presentation, important updates, and answers to common community questions about the Residential Treatment and Recovery site.

  • June 23, 2026 meeting presentation
  • Full frequently asked questions PDF
  • Key program and site-readiness highlights
  • Frequently asked questions available directly on the page
Questions or Feedback

Stay connected

If you have questions after reviewing these materials, the HART Hub team can be reached directly for follow-up and community feedback.

Meeting Resources

Presentation and FAQ materials

The meeting presentation and FAQ from June 23, 2026 are available below, along with additional questions and answers included on this page.

Downloads

Primary resources

Community Engagement Meeting Presentation
Presentation slides from the June 23, 2026 Community Engagement Meeting.
Download
Community Engagement FAQ
Full FAQ from the June 23, 2026 Community Engagement Meeting.
Open PDF
Neighbourhood Liaison Table
Related community accountability records and ongoing updates.
Open
At A Glance

Key meeting updates

  • The residential treatment program is designed as an evidence-informed, abstinence-based model with individualized planning and aftercare built into the cycle.
  • The site is expected to include 14 beds, with phased intake for the first male cohort.
  • Clients must not be actively using substances at admission, and referrals follow a "No Wrong Door" approach through the main HART Hub site at 430 Cannon Street East.
  • The staffing model includes multidisciplinary supports, 24/7 on-site coverage, and continuous security presence.
  • The current anticipated opening date is July 27, 2026, with construction, testing, furnishing, onboarding, and protocol finalization still underway.
  • Smoking and vaping are not permitted on the property or within the program.
Meeting Highlights

Operational updates shared on June 23, 2026

14
Bed residential facility
The residential treatment and recovery site is expected to include 14 beds, aligned with fire, life-safety, and therapeutic environment requirements.
24/7
On-site staffing and security
Three rotating shifts are planned, with continuous on-site security coverage and multidisciplinary staff supports.
3
Week phased intake
The first male cohort is expected to be admitted in phases: 4 clients in week 1, 5 in week 2, and 5 in week 3.
Jul 27
Anticipated opening date
The current anticipated opening date is July 27, 2026, while construction and final readiness activities continue.
Frequently Asked Questions

Community questions and answers

Below are answers to common questions about the Residential Treatment and Recovery site, including site operations, safety, staffing, and ongoing community engagement.

What level of criminality will be housed at this facility?

The HART Hub Residential Treatment and Recovery Services program is not a correctional facility, detention centre, or forensic mental health program. It is a voluntary treatment and recovery program for individuals seeking support with substance use, mental health, and related health challenges.

Admission is based on eligibility criteria, assessment, safety considerations, treatment goals, and readiness to participate in a structured recovery-oriented environment. Individuals whose needs cannot be safely supported within the program may be referred to other specialized services.

Given the close proximity to schools, will there be sex offenders or murderers residing at this Hub?

Community safety is a priority. The site is expected to operate as a highly structured residential treatment and recovery program with 24/7 staffing, management oversight, security measures, and clear behavioural expectations.

Participants are supported by a multidisciplinary healthcare and recovery team and are expected to follow program rules throughout their stay. Hamilton Urban Core will continue working with community members to address concerns as they arise.

Who will be responsible for site inspections: the municipality or the province?

Inspection responsibility depends on the type of inspection. During construction and renovation, inspections related to building, fire, electrical, and other code requirements are handled by the appropriate municipal and regulatory authorities.

Once the facility is operational, Hamilton Urban Core will be responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring ongoing compliance, while the site may still be subject to inspections, reviews, or audits by municipal departments, public health, fire services, and provincial authorities depending on the area being assessed.

Is the HART Hub funded by the City of Hamilton?

No. The Hamilton HART Hub is a provincially funded initiative supported by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Health.

Although the City is not providing operational funding for the Residential Treatment and Recovery Services program at 276 Aberdeen Avenue, the project continues to involve local collaboration with municipal representatives and community partners.

What level of education and experience will support workers have?

The staffing model is multidisciplinary and may include registered healthcare professionals, social workers, addictions counsellors, nurses, case managers, peer support workers, life skills and recovery coaches, and other support staff.

Staff qualifications may include college diplomas, university degrees, professional certifications, and regulatory registration where required, along with role-specific training in areas such as trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, de-escalation, cultural safety, harm reduction, and client-centred care.

What training will the security team have?

Security personnel will be selected and trained to work within a healthcare and recovery-oriented setting, while also meeting provincial licensing and regulatory requirements.

Expected training areas include de-escalation, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, mental health awareness, substance use and addiction awareness, trauma-informed care, cultural safety, workplace violence prevention, and emergency response procedures.

Will security be equipped to de-escalate serious situations and keep the community safe?

Security staff are expected to help maintain a safe environment while supporting a therapeutic and recovery-focused setting.

Security personnel are expected to work closely with program staff and approach situations with professionalism, compassion, and an emphasis on prevention and de-escalation.

Is Dr. Robin Lennox one of the staff physicians?

No. Dr. Robin Lennox is the local Member of Provincial Parliament and is not a member of the HART Hub clinical team.

Clinical services will be delivered by qualified healthcare professionals recruited and contracted through Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre.

What support is needed from community members to help the program succeed?

Community members can stay engaged through the Neighbourhood Liaison Table and other community meetings, share feedback and concerns through established channels, and support a culture of respect and inclusion for people facing mental health and substance use challenges.

Residents can also help by identifying volunteer, employment, educational, recreational, and social connection opportunities that support participants in recovery.

How often will community meetings be held once the HART Hub is active?

Leadership has committed to quarterly community engagement sessions to share updates, answer questions, and receive feedback.

The Neighbourhood Liaison Table will continue as an ongoing forum for dialogue, and monthly NLT meetings will be maintained for the first six months of operations during the initial implementation period.

What is the staffing model and how many staff will be working at the facility each day?

The residential treatment program is expected to operate at roughly one staff member for every three residents, with 24/7 staffing and a multidisciplinary team that includes nurses, counsellors, security, life redesign coaches, administrators, and program leadership.

The exact number of staff on site at a given time will vary based on occupancy, resident needs, and daily activities, but staffing is designed to maintain safe operations and continuous support.

How do referrals work for the program at 276 Aberdeen Avenue?

Referrals will happen through a coordinated intake process, either by emailing [email protected] or by completing a referral form through the HART Hub website.

Referral sources may include hospitals, primary care providers, community health centres, withdrawal management services, mental health and addictions agencies, outreach teams, and in some cases self-referrals. There will be no drop-in or walk-in access at 276 Aberdeen Avenue.

What are the plans for staff parking, given neighbourhood street parking concerns?

Staff will be encouraged to park on site, and the property includes driveway parking areas to help reduce reliance on surrounding street parking.

Residents will not be permitted to drive their own vehicles to the facility, and the organization intends to monitor parking impacts after implementation and work with residents if concerns arise.

Is smoking allowed on site, and what is the smoking policy?

Smoking is not permitted on site, and the smoke-free policy is aligned with current best practices in withdrawal management, addiction treatment, and health promotion.

Smoking and vaping are not permitted on the property or within the program, while participants who use nicotine may access approved nicotine replacement therapies such as gum, patches, or other prescribed cessation supports.

How often will supplies be delivered, and will deliveries affect neighbourhood parking?

Daily deliveries are not anticipated. Most deliveries are expected to be food and household supplies on a bi-weekly basis, with occasional program, office, or maintenance deliveries occurring infrequently.

Deliveries will be scheduled where possible to minimize disruption, and the organization does not expect delivery activity to have a meaningful impact on neighbourhood traffic or parking.