Homelessness Centre presentation, report and councillor motion dominate Oxford County Council meeting

Lee Griffi, Editor

Woodstock City/County Coun. Deb Tait was hoping to convince Oxford County council to take a second look at its plans for a Homelessness Support Centre at the former YMCA on Dundas Street in Woodstock.

Tait introduced a lengthy motion at the Sept. 23 county council meeting calling for the proposed centre to be put on hold while alternative uses for the site are considered, including transitional housing, following the emergence of the city’s HART Hub.

She also asked council to consider finding a new location for a shelter, arguing that money allocated to the project does not have to be spent for another 18 months.

“Only the basement (at the YMCA) is being used. There is still time to find another location, be it an existing smaller building or a build-to-suit. We can still have it done in 18 months.”

Tait acknowledged that Woodstock will always need a 24/7 shelter, but said the county is spending $5 million on the building, with millions more required for renovations before the facility is equipped, staffed and operating.

She said only one person who completed rehabilitation through the temporary HART Hub on Huron Street has not subsequently returned to drug use, while Woodstock Hospital has only two available beds.

“The people coming out who have asked for help have nowhere to go, so they’re back to homelessness and addiction.”

Coun. Jerry Acchione said he could not support Tait’s motion, largely because people experiencing homelessness on Woodstock’s streets need help now.

“There is no perfect location. This 24/7 wellness centre can bring shelter and community partners together in one place. That means consistent support, stronger connections to care and a clear path towards housing.”

Acchione said he understands the concerns about a lack of transitional housing but said that should not be a reason to pause the centre because other locations are being discussed for that purpose.

Warden Marcus Ryan said that while he could not support Tait’s motion, he agreed there is a need for more transitional housing and other types of housing.

“The fact we need those things doesn’t mean we don’t need the Homelessness Support Centre and the ability to start transitioning people out of homelessness.”

Tait was the only councillor to vote in favour of the motion, which was defeated 9-1.

Neighbours seek greater involvement

A group called the Y Neighbourhood Committee also delegated before council, bringing forward concerns and requests from residents and businesses in the area.

Spokesperson Lee-Ann VanWees said the committee represents concerned neighbours and businesses.

“We have canvassed 150 addresses surrounding 808 Dundas St. for input. We are formally requesting the opportunity to be involved in the project being proposed to address the needs of unhoused individuals, both in the planning process and once it is operational. We are requesting that the County Council mandate a Good Neighbour Agreement and all recommendations from the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design that will guarantee the safety and well-being of the community surrounding the property.”

The county’s Human Services Department also released a Homelessness Support Centre Engagement Feedback Report at the meeting. Department Director Amy Smith presented the 11-page document summarizing community engagement conducted to date.

A motion to receive the report was tabled, but discussion led to a new motion from Acchione and an amendment from Coun. Jim Palmer. The motions were discussed, but no vote was taken.

Ryan criticizes council preparation

For the second consecutive council meeting, Ryan criticized councillors for what he described as a lack of preparation.

“I really strongly encourage you all to really think about what you want to do here and have wording that actually does it. I would also, again, for the second council meeting in a row, encourage you to come prepared to do work. If our staff came as unprepared as we did today, we would rightly be angry at them. Happily, they came better prepared than we did today.”

Ryan said that on an issue as serious and important as this one, council needs to get it right. He then called for a lunch break.

When council returned, Acchione withdrew his motion and Palmer withdrew his amendment. Acchione then introduced a new motion to receive the county’s engagement report while opening the door to continued input from residents.

“And that the community and neighbourhood committee be consulted and involved throughout the planning process,” he read.

Acchione said businesses and residents in the area surrounding the YMCA need to have their voices heard.

Editor’s Note: The Echo will have more coverage of this story on its website in the coming days at https://www.granthaven.com/woodstock-ingersoll-echo, including more information on the requests made by the Y Neighbourhood Committee.