United Way Oxford officially launched a new initiative in Tillsonburg Friday morning announcing its Transitional House would open for the first five residents on May 1.
“This has been literally a dream come true,” said Kelly Gilson, executive director of United Way Oxford at a ceremony at the Tillsonburg Community Centre. “This is quite literally ‘the house that local love built.’”
Capacity will go up to seven in the coming months. All of the initial residents are from Tillsonburg, and that will be its focus, however, if it is not full, other Oxford County residents are eligible.
Speakers at Friday’s launch included Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman; Oxford Warden Marcus Ryan; Tillsonburg Councilor Pete Luciani; representatives from the Oxford Ontario Health Team (OHT) and the Oxford County Community Health Centre; the United Way Oxford board chairman; and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., a major donor.
“This is really a partnership,” said Gilson. “United Way is the funder, and we purchased the home, but it’s the Community Health Centre, their staff, their supports that we are funding, but they will make the difference in people’s lives. They are the wraparound.”
A $400,000 social finance loan to the United Way was provided by London Community Foundation (LFC) to help purchase the home.
“This was 11 months in the planning,” said Gilson, noting they are calling the home ‘The Lighthouse.’ “With the incredible support of Cedric Tomico from 360 Developments, it’s six weeks today since we took possession of that house and it’s been renovated, furnished and ready to go.”
Gilson said United Way Oxford is not sharing the location “mostly out of respect to the neighbours, but also ‘people who don’t need to know where the house is, don’t need to know where the house is.’ It’s not about the house, it’s about the service.”
The house is within walking distance of downtown.
A virtual tour of the home was shown during Friday’s launch, and neighbors were given a tour Thursday night.
“We want people to see how fantastic it is, and what a welcoming, supportive environment it will be for those moving in.”
There is a process to apply for residents through Oxford County Community Health Centre. Rent is $600/month and the maximum stay is 364 days.
“There really is a process for who will be a right fit, who is ready for this kind of program and support, who is willing to participate… because it really is a program, it’s not just a residence. All of those things really matter.”
While living at the house, Gilson said residents will build life skills and connect to other community services. The idea is to build up strength, then move forward with their lives.
There is already a waiting list.
“We knew before we started… the need is here,” said Gilson.
Hardeman, who toured the house Friday, commended United Way Oxford and its partners.
“I can assure you, those who are not directly involved with this project, I wanted to say that your money is going to a very, very good cause because it really does make a lot of sense to help people that are… somewhat down but not completely lost,” said Hardeman. “Getting them back up is a lot easier if you have the tools to do that, than waiting to actually have to lift them up. So I really appreciate what is being set up and the people who are doing it.”
“Housing is absolutely a crisis in our community nowadays and there is a lot of people experiencing homelessness for a lot of different reasons,” said Ryan. “And it is only projects like this that have the full wraparound supports that are going to help people to move on in their lives. And the harsh reality is that we need more of this. This needs to be held up as a poster child in every community that we have of what is possible when people come together and actually commit to action.”
Affordable and attainable housing, homelessness and poverty are issues that Tillsonburg Council is continuously striving to address, said Luciani.
“The long term investment by United Way Oxford into Tillsonburg Transitional Housing, and providing an ongoing support system through Oxford County Community Health Centre, is amazing and certainly helping to fill a very real local need,” said Luciani. “Tillsonburg has gained a valuable local resource in helping getting people back on their feet.”
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