New Homelessness Support Centre in Woodstock marks next step toward “Housing for all”

Opening in 2028, the new centre will offer emergency shelter alongside other services that help transition people out of homelessness

Oxford County’s 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. 

Oxford County’s purchase of the property at 808 Dundas Street in Woodstock, the former YMCA building, officially closed on May 29, 2026. 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 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.

The property was purchased by Oxford County for $4.55 million. Renovations to the property to accommodate the shelter and professional office spaces are budgeted at $3 million. 

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. 

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

Comment

Marcus Ryan, Warden, Oxford County / Mayor, Zorra Township

“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. 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.”

Jerry Acchione, Mayor, City of Woodstock / Councillor, Oxford County

“This announcement represents an exciting and meaningful step forward for our 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.

"A centralized 24/7 Homelessness Support Centre will bring critical services together in one place and help our community transition from an emergency response approach to a truly 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.”

Video

Video statement - Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan and Woodstock Mayor/County Councillor Jerry Acchione: New Homelessness Support Centre in Woodstock marks next step towards “Housing for all” 

Link: https://youtu.be/cp8L6hcne3Q

Timeline

• March 26, 2025: Oxford County Council approves the Homelessness Response Strategy and strikes the Homelessness Support Centre Ad-Hoc Committee of Council to find a location for a new shelter and support centre. More than 10 potential locations were considered.
• December 10, 2025: County 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.
• April 22, 2026: County Council approves purchase of 808 Dundas Street, Woodstock, at a cost of $4.55 million.
• May 29, 2026: Sale closes and the property officially transfers to Oxford County.
• June – July 2026: Public consultation takes place on operational plans for the support centre, safety and security, and other considerations.
• August - October 2026: JPM Architecture Inc. prepares architectural designs for renovation work to be used for the construction/renovation tender.
• Fall 2026: Tendering and contract award for building renovations.
• Winter 2026: Renovation and exterior site work begins.
• Winter 2027: Expected completion of renovation work.
• Winter 2027: Request for Proposals (RFP) and selection of an agency to operate the Homelessness Support Centre.
• April 2028: The new Homelessness Support Centre expected to begin operating.

Note: Activities following the public consultation process are estimates subject to contractor availability and other operational considerations.

Background

Process

• Oxford County’s Homelessness Response Strategy was approved by County Council on March 26, 2025. As part of the strategy, County staff was directed to work with the City of Woodstock to acquire an appropriate property that would serve as a Homelessness Response Centre. The Homelessness Support Centre Ad-Hoc Committee of Council was also struck to find a location for the centre, with Warden Marcus Ryan serving as Chair, joined by County Councillors Jerry Acchione, Deb Gilvesy and Brian Petrie.
• On December 10, 2025, on recommendation of the Homelessness Support Centre Ad-Hoc Committee, County Council authorized staff to submit an offer to purchase 808 Dundas Street, Woodstock, for an amount of up to $5 million, conditional on available funding to cover the purchase, renovations and annual operating funding, along with a number of administrative items.
• Financial information was presented to County Council in closed session on April 22, 2026. The sale of 808 Dundas Street to Oxford County closed on May 29, 2026.
• Information about real estate transactions is permitted in closed sessions of council under the Municipal Act. This helps municipalities negotiate a fair price for tax dollars and reduces legal risks for all parties involved.

Costs

• Total costs for the new Homelessness Support Centre are estimated at approximately $7.8 million. This includes $4.55 for the building’s purchase, and an additional $3.25 million for renovations and legal and administrative expenditures.
• The new centre is being funded through the County’s two housing reserve funds (up to $5.55 million), the City of Woodstock’s Building Faster Fund contribution ($2.05 million), and the Federal Safe Restart fund ($200,000).
• The ongoing costs to operate the new support centre are estimated at $2.4 million per year. This is expected to be funded primarily through Ontario’s Homelessness Prevention Program, from which the County allocates approximately $1.9 million per year to homelessness initiatives. Oxford County is requesting additional funding support from the Government of Ontario.
• As a condition of sale, Oxford County staff completed a Building Condition Assessment that focused on the current state of equipment and systems (e.g., mechanical systems, washroom fixtures) in the building, as well as expected investment and upgrades required over the next ten years.

Support centre model

• The new Homelessness Support Centre will co-locate Oxford County’s existing emergency shelter services into a single-location, 24/7 emergency shelter. In addition, it will offer on-site support services that are flexible and focused on transitioning individuals out of homelessness.
• The support centre will adopt a “low barrier” model, meaning more flexible stay requirements to provide immediate shelter access to vulnerable individuals. The centre will also take a housing-first approach, which prioritizes moving unhoused people rapidly from the street or emergency shelters into stable and long-term housing with appropriate supports.
• The new centre will operate closely with Woodstock’s new Homelessness and Additions Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub/Wellness Centre. The HART Hub/Wellness Centre, a voluntary treatment and recovery facility, is temporarily operating at 369 Huron Street in Woodstock until its permanent location opens at 16 Graham Street, the former Hydro One/Woodstock Hydro building.
• Oxford County’s Homelessness Response Strategy identifies the main factors contributing to homelessness in Oxford as mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence. The majority of individuals on Oxford County’s By-Name List-- a provincially mandated record of people experiencing homelessness-- are from the City of Woodstock, which is line with the location of existing services.