Drinking water system reports, 10-Year Shelter Plan, Managed Forest Plan and more

County Council meetings are broadcast live at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. To download the full agenda or view past recordings of council meetings, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/council.

Progress on 10-Year Shelter Plan

The County’s annual update on the 10-Year Shelter Plan comes forward at the February 28 County Council meeting. The Shelter Plan, which is a requirement under Ontario’s Housing Services Act, sets out Oxford’s targets and actions related to housing and homelessness. Highlights from the 2023 progress report include:

• Construction and development started last year for 97 new rental units across two Woodstock projects, 52 of those earmarked as affordable units.
• 18 affordable housing units opened in Tillsonburg in 2023.
• Work began on two prospective affordable housing projects in the Township of Zorra and Town of Tillsonburg.
• A total of 52 households received a rent supplement and 49 households received a portable housing benefit through the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit.
• The My Second Unit program provided funding to eight Oxford County homeowners to add secondary rental units in their homes and eight households received funding for critical repairs under the County’s Residential Repair Program.

To support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness:

• “24/7” emergency shelter became available in Woodstock last year, with an additional 25 spaces approved to open in 2024. An overnight out of the cold emergency shelter opened in Tillsonburg in the fall of 2023.
• 39 people from the By Name List (real-time list of people experiencing homelessness that is mandated by the provincial government) moved to transitional or permanent housing last year.
• $1.7 million from the Homelessness Prevention Program was used on various supports and services.

The report to Council notes that even with steady progress towards increasing the rental supply and continuing to build supports for those in housing crisis or experiencing homelessness, affordable rental and home ownership is still a challenge that will require alternative measures and solutions.

HS 2024-01: 2023 Annual Progress Report – 10-Year Shelter Plan

Annual drinking water system reports

County Council receives the 2023 Annual Water System Performance Summary reports next Council meeting. The reports show that the County treated and supplied approximately 10.7 million cubic metres of clean, safe and reliable drinking water to 21 communities through 17 municipal drinking water systems last year.

At the time of the Council report, results were available for eight of Oxford’s municipal drinking water system inspections completed by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Six systems received 100% inspection ratings (Brownsville, Embro, Hickson, Mount Elgin, Oxford South and Thamesford); one system received a 97% rating (Lakeside); and one system received a 96% rating (Beachville). The remaining systems inspection report ratings were either not available at the time of the Council report or the inspection had not yet been carried out. 

Oxford County’s 2023 reports are available at www.oxfordcounty.ca/water-wastewater

PW 2024-08 – 2023 Drinking Water System Performance | Read the reports

Update to Managed Forest Plan

Oxford County presents its annual update of the 20-year Managed Forest Plan next Council meeting, sharing highlights from the County’s forestry conservation and management program. Last year, the County planted 12,000 trees to forest new land; planted 700 trees for reforestation on existing woodlands and wetlands; and managed invasive plant species across 45.4 hectares of County lands. The program also generated $14,000 in revenue through commercial timber harvesting of select trees to promote forest sustainability and improve woodlot conditions through thinning best management practices.

PW 2024-07: 2023 Managed Forest Plan Update

Other reports and presentations

• CP 2024-53: Application for Draft Plan of Condominium and Exemption from Draft Approval CD 23-01-8 – 2749815 Ontario Limited
• PW 2024-08: Contract Award – Rehabilitation of Bridge 784064 on Oxford Road 33
• PW 2024-09: Contract Award - 2024 Woodingford Lodge Curtain Replacement Project, Woodstock
• CS 2024-06: Council Remuneration and Expenses – 2023
• CS 2024-07: Investment Activity Report and Policy Review - 2023

Questions or comments?                                                  

Council this Week previews the Oxford County Council meeting agenda for residents, community partners and employees. Please send your questions and comments to communications@oxfordcounty.ca