Safe, Supportive, and Recovery-Focused: HART Hub Transitional Housing Strengthens Waterloo Region’s Continuum of Care for Homelessness and Addiction Recovery
HART Hub Waterloo Region (HHWR) is pleased to announce the launch of a new abstinence-based, Transitional Housing program, operated by House of Friendship.
“The HHWR Transitional Housing program is a vital addition to our community’s housing continuum,” said Jennifer Scott, CEO of House of Friendship. “By offering an abstinence-based environment with addiction supports, the program provides consistent, structured support for individuals as they work toward recovery and housing stability.”
This new Transitional Housing program (located at 47 Madison Ave. S. in Kitchener) is a key component of the HHWR, and part of a $529-million provincial investment—the largest increase in addiction treatment funding in decades.
HHWR is a collaborative network of local services across Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and the rural townships, designed to provide caring and coordinated support to meet immediate needs, and help people build stability while facing housing, mental health, and substance-use concerns in Waterloo Region. The addition of House of Friendship’s abstinence-based transitional housing strengthens the continuum of care available through HHWR.
“Over the past year, Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo and House of Friendship have worked closely with community partners to bring the HART Hub model to life,” said Tara Groves-Taylor, CEO of Community Healthcaring Kitchener-Waterloo. “The addition of abstinence-based, transitional housing beds represents a crucial part of the continuum, supporting change-oriented individuals in their journey toward greater stability.”
When fully operational, HHWR Transitional Housing program will support up to 12 change-oriented individuals at a time through an abstinence-based, time-limited housing program, with stays typically ranging from six to twelve months. The program combines a stable place to live with individualized supports, including addiction services that promote recovery, strengthen housing stability, build daily living skills, and connect participants to coordinated community services.
“At its core, HHWR Transitional Housing recognizes that housing alone is not enough for individuals working toward recovery and stability,” said Jennifer Scott, CEO of House of Friendship. “Alongside a safe, abstinence-based place to live, people need time, supportive relationships, and practical assistance to begin rebuilding their lives. We’re proud to provide that through this program.”
House of Friendship’s HHWR Transitional Housing program is expected to be open by the end of March 2026.
