No shortage of criticism and support after Oxford County’s homelessness centre public meeting

By Lee Griffi

Over 200 people turned out on July 15 to ask questions about the future Homelessness Support Centre (HSC) in Woodstock.

Planning for the former YMCA on Dundas Street is in its infancy, meaning there were many more questions than answers. Residents were allowed to submit questions beforehand and during the meeting on paper, but there was no live microphone for attendees. The meeting was facilitated by Vink Consulting at a cost of $4,500.

“The purpose of this session is to share information about the county’s vision about the future (HSC), answer questions, hear concerns and considerations that may help inform the future development and operation,” said Jody Ball, the meeting’s lead facilitator. “

The question-and-answer session lasted more than an hour, with the first question focusing on community safety once the facility opens to people experiencing homelessness.

“We are planning to have 24/7 security on site. There will also be standards on site for the future operator to ensure safety is the number one priority, which is certainly the focus for us at the county,” said Rebecca Smith, the county’s director of human services. “We are also looking at some design-related things. Obviously, there will have to be some interior work we have to provide, which will be interior cameras, surveillance as well as controlled entryways.”

The new HSC is expected to open in 2027 and will replace the current three-shelter system. It will serve residents from across Oxford who are unhoused or at risk of becoming homeless. Health-care support services, along with other community supports, are proposed on site. The county will eventually be issuing a request for proposal to find an operator.

Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan said despite the lack of a plan for when the centre opens, he was pleased with how the event went.

“The questions were excellent. I totally agree that there are many, many unanswered questions because the HSC is a year away from opening, and our intention of the public meeting was to get input from residents before we answer questions. Council does not want the services and site design finalized without public input.”

Ryan added the format of evening was the right choice, despite some participants’ frustration.

“We offered opportunities for questions to be submitted before or during the meeting, either electronically or handwritten on paper. This gave the most options for people to submit whenever and however they were comfortable. In my experience in public meetings, many residents are reluctant to speak publicly and wary of having a negative reaction to their comments, and so don’t participate. We wanted to get maximum participation.” 

Grant Haven Media reached out to each member of county council for their thoughts, including East Zorra-Tavistock Mayor Phil Schaefer.

“I was in attendance for the entire meeting Wednesday night. The warden’s response sums up my feelings regarding the meeting,” Schaefer said.

Not all council members praised how the evening went. Woodstock city and Oxford County Coun. Deb Tait criticized the format.

“This was not a public meeting. It was a public orchestration designed to limit real public input and to insulate the elected councillors who supported this shelter location from any accountability to the public. Those that supported and voted for this location were not at the front; a staff person was made to answer all questions, not any of the elected people that supported it.”

Smith did most of the talking during the meeting and was joined at the front of the room by Anthony Dolcetti, manager of housing and homelessness, Mike Amy, manager of facilities and fleet, and Jillaine Blair, manager of outpatient mental health and addictions at Woodstock Hospital.

Tait added the site will have a huge impact on the public and the City of Woodstock.  

“This location is going to cost millions of dollars to renovate and will have a direct impact on every single taxpayer in Oxford County. In Woodstock, the public will bear not only the cost of the building but also the extra costs because of the location on our main street. The hardest hit will be those businesses and homes closest to this location, all done with zero public input or public consultation. Anytime you are using taxpayers' money, it should be done in complete transparency.”

The meeting and more details on the HSC are available at https://speakup.oxfordcounty.ca/homelessness-support. Updates will also be provided on the same web page.