Oxford County releases more information about plan for YMCA building

Lee Griffi, Editor

The county said its goal of “Housing for all” is taking a major step forward with a new Homelessness Support Centre in Woodstock that will offer emergency shelter alongside other services that help transition people out of homelessness and into stable housing.

In a press release, Oxford County said the purchase of the property at 808 Dundas Street in Woodstock is now approaching the community input phase.

“The county now begins the process of consulting with residents and businesses in the area; working with the City of Woodstock and other community partners to plan how the new facility will operate; and tendering for renovations and building system upgrades at the site.”

The release added the support centre, expected to open in spring 2028, will work in partnership with Woodstock’s new Homelessness and Addictions Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub/Wellness Centre to serve residents from across Oxford County who are unhoused or at the risk of becoming homeless. It will offer a single-location 24/7 emergency shelter model offering 55 beds, meal areas, safe storage for personal belongings, on-site laundry, day programs, and on-site security.

“It will also offer on-site professional staff to help unhoused people find employment, mental health and addictions support, permanent housing, and other types of support. Office space will also be made available to other community agencies.”

Costs for both the building purchase and renovations are being funded through the county’s two housing reserve funds (up to $5.55 million), a Building Faster Fund contribution from the City of Woodstock ($2.05 million), and the Federal Safe Restart fund ($200,000).

“The annual costs of operating the centre, estimated at $2.4 million per year, will be funded in part through Ontario’s Homelessness Prevention Program. Right now, the County allocates approximately $1.9 million in provincial funding each year for shelter services and homelessness support,” added the release.

In June, Oxford County staff will bring forward an explanation of how the community, particularly residents and businesses in the area, will be updated throughout the project from now until its opening and initial stages of operation.

“The public will also have an opportunity to give input on operational plans for the support centre, safety and security, and other considerations. Public consultation will include an in-person public information meeting along with other ways to ask questions and provide feedback. Ongoing updates, and an opportunity to submit feedback at any time, can be found on Speak Up, Oxford! at www.oxfordcounty.ca/speakup.”

“The goal of the new centre is to reduce the demand for a shelter, to transition people out of homelessness: anything less than housing for all is just not enough,” explained outgoing Warden and Zorra Township Mayor Marcus Ryan. “The centre will make a world of difference to anyone sleeping under a tarp or a bridge and to us all—the entire community will benefit. Thanks to the support and commitment of the City of Woodstock, and partners like Woodstock Hospital and Oxford OHT in getting the HART Hub up and running, we are putting into place a key piece of our response to our housing and homelessness strategy,” he added.

Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione said the announcement represents an exciting and meaningful step forward for the community.

“I understand that residents and local businesses may have questions about this project, and that’s a good thing. It opens the door for open, constructive, and collaborative conversations as we move through the planning process together.”

He added a centralized 24/7 centre will bring critical services together in one place and help our community transition from an emergency response approach to a supportive model focused on helping individuals move out of homelessness and into stable, long-term housing.

“I’m eager to continue working alongside residents, businesses, community partners, and Oxford County to ensure every voice is valued and included as this project moves ahead.”

The release stated more than 10 locations were considered for the site beginning in March of 2025 after council approved the Homelessness Response Strategy. In December of this year, council authorizes staff to proceed with an offer to purchase the property at 808 Dundas Street in Woodstock, the site of the former YMCA, pending funding.

From August to October, JPM Architecture Inc. will prepare architectural designs for renovation work to be used for the construction/renovation tender. The company was the recipient of an, up to, $250,000 single source contract for the work. A tendering contract award for building renovations will be completed in the fall of this year with work beginning during the winter months. A Request for Proposals (RFP) and selection of an agency to operate the Homelessness Support Centre is expected to occur in the winter of 2027 with an opening expected in April of 2028.