Meeting Summary – Rotary Club Meeting
Date: 2025-09-23
1) Club Business
- Birthdays/Anniversaries: None this week.
- In Memoriam: Ted Axle (former Rotary member, active during the golf tournament period; retired, had moved to Woodstock) passed away within the last week.
- Committee Reports:
- Dragon Boat: Ongoing. Finance reconciliation pending due to outstanding invoices (including from GWN). Further committee updates to come.
- Fundraising: Meeting at end of day. Event dates set. Marketing, sign-ups prepared. Finalizing product list and pricing tonight; then proceed to launch.
- Foundation: Motion passed to have the Rotary charitable foundation support the Food Rescue Hub with specified caveats. The hub can begin accepting funds; process to be coordinated through Robin.
2) Guest Presentation – Oxford County Community Health Centre (CHC) Housing Stability Program
Presenters:
- Caitlin (Housing Team Lead, Housing Stability Program)
- Tracy (Community Case Manager, Woodstock area; eviction prevention and housing stability)
Organization Overview:
- Oxford County Community Health Centre (independent non-profit). Funding from provincial sources and additional program funding from United Way Oxford.
- Mandate: Reduce barriers and inequities; serve individuals with physical, mental, emotional, economic, and social challenges. Values include access, diversity and inclusion, collaboration, trust, health equity, results-driven action.
- Related CHC services the housing team coordinates with: primary care (physicians/nursing), mental health supports, community programs, and practical access supports (e.g., technology for virtual hearings).
Housing Stability Program – Key Services:
- Eviction Prevention:
- Support with Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) processes: understanding notices, preparing evidence, portal uploads, virtual hearing access (devices/tech support), and home visits.
- Education on tenant/landlord rights; emphasis on avoiding signing N11 (Agreement to End Tenancy) without advice; caution around “cash for keys” arrangements. Not illegal but problematic, particularly where tenants may have disabilities or limited understanding; program encourages tenants to bring documents for review and, if needed, legal input.
- Common eviction drivers seen: mix of “renovictions,” non-payment (N4), and sales of properties. Repayment plans can void N4 if arrears are cleared before hearing.
- Transitional Housing:
- CHC staffs the programs; properties owned by United Way Oxford and Oxford County (previously a private landlord, now transitioned). CHC is not the landlord.
- Sites:
- Woodstock: 7-room program (rent $500/month).
- Ingersoll: 6 rooms.
- Tillsonburg: 7 rooms.
- Duration: Up to 1 year (some references to “up to 2 years” were made informally; standard intent is up to 1 year). Extensions considered case-by-case to bridge to permanent housing.
- Program Model: Supportive but temporary; weekly housing-seeking sessions; life skills; linkage to community supports; goal is stable, permanent housing by exit. Participants must engage with program rules and supports.
- Occupancy/Waitlists: Programs are typically full with substantial waitlists, especially in Woodstock.
- Tenancy Framework: Transitional housing does not fall under the Residential Tenancies Act; CHC can discharge for serious rule breaches. Efforts are made to prevent discharges without alternatives.
- Rent: Typically $600/month (Woodstock $500).
- Eligibility: Oxford County residents (proof generally via local social assistance file or other evidence of at least ~3 months residence, including unsheltered individuals known locally).
- Outcomes: Presenters reported strong success moving clients to rooms, apartments, or supportive housing, aided by improved local collaboration in recent years; limited repeat entries reported.
Client Population and Income Considerations:
- Many clients on OW (~$773/month) or ODSP (~$1,400/month); some on CPP/OAS (~$1,200–$1,500/month range noted). Seniors homelessness is increasing and often harder to house due to accessibility/independence needs; CHC programs are independent living and not medically staffed.
- Payment Methods: OW/ODSP can direct-pay landlords; CPP/OAS cannot, which can create rent payment challenges when clients transition benefits. CHC encourages preauthorized payment within programs.
Other Notes and Q&A Highlights:
- CHC location reference: “Old Post Office building across from the market.” CHC staff well-known locally.
- Transitional housing addresses are confidential for safety; prior Woodstock site was 369 Huron St. (old hospital), now moved (June).
- Discussion connected the Food Rescue Hub to potential benefits for CHC clients (food access and cost relief).
Next Steps/Actions:
- Foundation to communicate Food Rescue Hub funding approval details and set up process via Robin.
- Fundraising committee to finalize product list and pricing, then launch marketing/sign-ups.
- Dragon Boat committee to complete financials upon receipt of pending invoices.
Guests thanked and welcomed by the club.