Virtual Community Engagement Meeting

Referrals to the program can be sent to [email protected], and a counsellor will follow up accordingly. No drop-in intakes or inquiries will be accepted at the 276 Aberdeen Avenue program location.

The program follows an abstinence-based residential treatment model designed to support both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Clients receive comprehensive care through a multidisciplinary team that works collaboratively to support each individual’s recovery journey.

During their stay, clients participate in structured clinical programming and recovery supports. As they approach completion, the care team develops a comprehensive transition and recovery plan that connects them to post-treatment supports and long-term recovery goals. Staff remain connected through aftercare supports following discharge.

Clients can also access additional health and social services through Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre at 430 Cannon Street East, including primary care, mental health services, addiction supports, and other wraparound services. Referrals must be submitted by email to [email protected]. Drop-in inquiries and walk-in intakes will not be accepted at 276 Aberdeen Avenue.

Community-based research is an area Hamilton Urban Core is interested in exploring. As the Residential Treatment and Recovery Program becomes established, there may be opportunities to collaborate with research partners, community organizations, and people with lived experience to study program outcomes, community impact, and best practices in recovery support.

Any research would be conducted in accordance with appropriate ethical standards, privacy protections, and community engagement principles, with the goal of benefiting both participants and the broader community.

One meaningful way neighbours can help is by staying engaged, asking questions, and participating in constructive dialogue through the Neighbourhood Liaison Table and community meetings. A welcoming and respectful environment supports both staff and the individuals working toward recovery.

The location was selected because the building is suitable for delivering a residential treatment and recovery program and allows Hamilton Urban Core to expand access to needed health and recovery services in the community. The program is abstinence-based and designed as a structured, supervised treatment environment with trained staff on site and clear operational policies.

Residents who need to leave the treatment centre will be escorted by a staff member. If concerns arise in the neighbourhood, residents will have clear communication channels to contact Hamilton Urban Core directly, and those concerns will be addressed promptly. The Neighbourhood Liaison Table provides an ongoing forum for residents to raise issues and work collaboratively with the Centre to address them.

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre has more than 30 years of experience providing health and social services to vulnerable residents in Hamilton, including people living with mental health and substance use challenges. The Centre has built expertise in community-based care, harm reduction, and addiction support services.

Hamilton Urban Core previously operated Hamilton’s Consumption and Treatment Service and has developed strong clinical, operational, and community partnership experience in supporting individuals with complex needs. The Residential Treatment and Recovery Program builds on that long-standing experience through trained staff, evidence-informed practices, and partnerships with healthcare and community providers.

One of the most meaningful ways neighbours can support recovery is by helping to foster a respectful and welcoming community environment. Recovery is strengthened when individuals feel they are part of a community that treats them with respect, dignity, and understanding.

Hamilton Urban Core will continue to explore appropriate ways for the community to stay connected and informed, including through the Neighbourhood Liaison Table.

Early in the planning process, Hamilton Urban Core had preliminary conversations with the City of Hamilton to better understand the zoning classification of the building and the types of services that could be operated at this location.

As the project moves forward, Hamilton Urban Core continues to work with the City through the appropriate processes, including building permits and any required approvals, to ensure the program operates in full compliance with municipal regulations and requirements.

The Board of Directors provides governance and strategic oversight for Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre rather than direct day-to-day operational leadership of the program. Clinical design and delivery are led by qualified healthcare professionals and operational leadership within the organization.

Program success will be measured through participant engagement in treatment, stabilization and recovery progress, successful transitions to supports such as housing or community care, overall utilization and outcomes, operational oversight, reporting requirements, and feedback from participants, staff, and community partners.

Residents can support the program by helping to foster a respectful and welcoming community environment. You can also stay engaged by following updates, participating in community meetings, and sharing constructive feedback through forums like the Neighbourhood Liaison Table.

The project continues to move forward through the necessary planning and preparation steps, but there is not yet a confirmed date for when renovations will begin or when residents will start arriving. Timelines depend on completing required approvals and ensuring staffing, facility readiness, and operational supports are in place.

Updates will continue to be shared through the Neighbourhood Liaison Table and other communication channels as timelines become clearer.

Hamilton Urban Core’s position is that substance use and mental health challenges affect people across the entire city, not only the downtown core. The program is intended to provide treatment and recovery support for people from across Hamilton and the broader region.

The FAQ notes that in 2025 Hamilton paramedics responded to approximately 1,160 suspected opioid overdoses, that there were about 199 suspected drug-related deaths in Hamilton in 2023, and that the rate of opioid-related deaths in Hamilton has at times been significantly higher than the Ontario average. It also notes that many overdoses occur in private homes, illustrating that the need for treatment and recovery services is city-wide.

The primary goal of the program is to support individuals living with substance use challenges to achieve sustained recovery, improved health, and successful reintegration into the community.

Key goals include supporting recovery through an abstinence-based and evidence-informed residential treatment model, improving physical and mental health outcomes, building life skills and stability, connecting clients to ongoing supports such as primary care, mental health services, housing supports, and community resources, and promoting long-term recovery through individualized transition planning and aftercare.

Since the open house, Hamilton Urban Core has established the Neighbourhood Liaison Table, held three meetings to date at the time of the FAQ summary, planned monthly meetings moving forward, expanded resident participation to include a broader range of neighbourhood perspectives, shared program information and updates with NLT members, and posted agendas, minutes, and information on the website.

The key approvals still pending relate primarily to building and renovation permits with the City of Hamilton. Because the renovation timeline is not yet finalized, there is no confirmed date for when the first clients will be welcomed. The FAQ notes that the current program design continues to anticipate approximately 18 residential treatment beds, with final operational details to be confirmed as the project moves closer to launch.

The program is designed for adults experiencing substance use challenges who are seeking structured residential treatment and recovery supports. Eligibility criteria include being 18 years or older, being motivated to participate in an abstinence-based residential treatment program, being medically and clinically appropriate for a residential setting, and being willing to participate in therapeutic activities and follow program guidelines.

Referrals can be made by healthcare providers, community organizations, or other service providers supporting individuals with substance use challenges. All referrals should be submitted by email to [email protected], after which a counsellor will follow up to complete intake screening and assessment. Drop-in inquiries and walk-in intakes will not be accepted at 276 Aberdeen Avenue.

The program intends to support participants in planning their next steps before they complete treatment. Staff will work with community partners to connect individuals to housing supports, employment, outpatient care, primary healthcare, counselling services, and other recovery resources.

Each client will leave with an individualized transition and recovery plan. Aftercare and follow-up supports are intended to help clients remain connected to care, supported in their recovery journey, and equipped with the resources needed for long-term wellbeing and reintegration into the community.

Hamilton Urban Core’s response notes that multiple communication channels are being used, including community meetings, the Neighbourhood Liaison Table, website updates, and other forms of outreach, to help residents stay informed and engaged.

The FAQ also notes that establishing a community email distribution list is something the organization can explore internally so interested residents can more easily receive updates about program developments, meeting dates, and related information.