July 16, 2026

Public information meeting

Oxford County hosted a public information meeting on July 15, 2026, to share details, answer questions, and listen to feedback about the future Homelessness Support Centre in Woodstock.

The meeting was planned to allow residents and businesses located in the area of the new shelter-- 808 Dundas Street in Woodstock-- as well as other members of the community to give input and ask questions on operational aspects of the support centre, safety and security, and other considerations. The meeting included a presentation and a question-and-answer period.

• Presentation slides
• Video recording of meeting: Please check back

June 19, 2026

Public information meeting for Homelessness Support Centre to take place July 15

Oxford County is hosting a public information meeting to share details, answer questions, and listen to feedback about the future Homelessness Support Centre in Woodstock.

Wednesday, July 15, 2026
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
South Gate Centre – Boughtflower Room
191 Old Wellington Street South, Woodstock

The meeting will allow residents and businesses located in the area of the new shelter-- 808 Dundas Street in Woodstock-- as well as other members of the community to give input and ask questions on operational aspects of the support centre, safety and security, and other considerations. The meeting will include a presentation and a question-and-answer period.

For those unable to attend, details of the session will be shared with Oxford County Council at a future council meeting and posted to Speak Up, Oxford! at www.oxfordcounty.ca/speakup.

Residents and businesses in the area will receive a direct notice for the public meeting and will be notified again in advance of the County Council report.

Read the full news release

June 1, 2026

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

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.

Read the full announcement | Watch the video statement

May 27, 2026

On May 27, 2026, Oxford County Council heard from several residents on the purchase of 808 Dundas Street, the former YMCA building, to establish a Homelessness Support Centre in Woodstock. Watch the video from today’s council meeting to hear the discussion.

More details, including next steps, will be shared in the coming days after the purchase of the building is completed. In June, a report to council will explain how the community will be consulted on the new Homeless Support Centre, including what should be considered for fencing, property access and maintenance, security measures, and more.

Watch for information about the upcoming public meeting and other ways to give feedback by checking this page for updates. We'll also share details on the Oxford County website, our social media sites, local news, and through advertising.

May 19, 2026

Update to the community

At the request of Oxford County Council, the County is sharing an update on the goal to achieve “Housing for all” in our community.

Oxford County, with funding assistance from the City of Woodstock through Ontario’s Building Faster Fund, is in the process of purchasing the property at 808 Dundas Street in Woodstock, the former YMCA building, to establish a new Homelessness Support Centre. The purchase is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, with the new facility opening in early 2028.

This is good news for our community and a fundamental step toward getting more people the support they need to get off the streets.

Read the full statement from the Chief Administrative Officer