Oxford County eyes adding 20 transitional housing beds

Oxford County Human Services recommends council authorize $1.7 million for more transitional housing projects in a push to tackle homelessness.

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A report, to be reviewed at Wednesday’s council meeting, outlines three projects that would create up to 20 transitional and supportive housing beds in Oxford County. If authorized by council, it would provide $1.15 million for development funding and $500,000 in annual operating costs for the three Oxford County locations, with an additional $60,000 to support legal costs for the projects.

“It will make a significant impact in our eyes because it is adding those 20 beds that obviously aren’t currently available,” said Rebecca Smith, Oxford County’s manager of housing development and the report’s author.

Transitional housing offers temporary space for people experiencing homelessness and acts as a bridge by transitioning people from short-term dwellings to permanent affordable housing.

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Of the three proposed locations, one would receive funds for renovations, while two others would be subject to the acquisition of an “appropriately zoned property by Feb. 28, 2025,” Smith’s report says.

The site eyed for renovation is the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services centre in Ingersoll which would receive up to $150,000 for renovations and up to $190,000 in annual operating funds to support an additional five-bed transitional home.

The first location for a five-bed transitional home in Ingersoll would be owned and operated by United Way and Oxford County Community Health Centre. The second development would support a 10-bed transitional home operated by Assistive Living Care Homes in Woodstock.

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Oxford County’s homelessness response strategy is part of the 2024 Human Services business plan and budget that includes up to $2.1 million in development and $500,000 in operating costs to support the creation of transitional and supportive housing. If approved, $890,000 would remain for additional opportunities, though Smith said nothing had been planned yet.

Launched about a year ago, the Lighthouse – a transitional housing residence in Tillsonburg – is another project that’s had success transitioning homeless people into more stable housing, said Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan.

“We had people move in and out in some cases in six months,” Ryan said. “I think supportive and transitional housing is the key towards moving forward on homelessness, mental health and addictions.”

Last month, the county focused on unhoused youth by providing transitional housing for 16- and 17-year-olds.

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