Holiday hope for those experiencing homelessness in Oxford has arrived just in time.
A new six-bedroom transitional home will open near the downtown core early next year.
“It will provide people with a safe house and a suitable and lovely environment for which they can get back on their feet and move forward in their lives,” said Kelly Gilson of United Way Oxford in an interview with CTV News London.
The exact location of the property has not been publicly disclosed but its set-up will be similar into the Light House transitional home in Tillsonburg. It opened in 2023.
Both facilities are operated by the United Way in partnership with the County of Oxford and the Ingersoll Community Fund.
“Our budget is approximately $750,000, all in, for the property, the renovations, the furnishings,” said Gilson.
Once the door is open, residents can stay up to 364 days if they follow guidelines and respect neighbours.
But it is expected many will move on sooner than that.
Gilson stated that 25 people have passed through the seven available rooms in Tillsonburg in 18 months of operation.
She reveals each one is a success story.
“I can tell you that the last report I had was that 100 per cent of the folks who have been through the house are housed [in the community].”
Gilson said that meets the goal of keeping some residents from seeking support in larger centres, including London.
“We want people to be able to stay in their home community and get the supports. And we know that's the best-case scenario,” she said.
Yet even though it offers new spaces, the home cannot take everyone.
“So, there is a waitlist unfortunately. And that is the sad reality,” she concluded.
