Interview with Warden Marcus Ryan - July 11th 2024

Now Playing

Thursday, 11 July 2024 10:40

Oxford County Council has approved 20 new transitional housing units and a new Advocacy Framework.

OXFORD COUNTY - It's official, more transitional and supportive housing is on the way for Oxford County.

County Council signed off on 20 new units during yesterday's meeting.

Warden Marcus Ryan says half of them will be in Woodstock and the other half will be located in Ingersoll, with two five unit housing sites.

"So there is going to be two in Ingersoll. One is for low acuity which means it's people who need relatively low supports, so they would have staff available on a daily basis to help them with employment issues and things like that. There's going to be another five unit one in Ingersoll with mid-low acuity, so with slightly more supports, and there's going to be a 10 unit one in Woodstock."

The county already owns the building where the low acuity unit in Ingersoll will be located and staff are currently looking for properties in Woodstock and Ingersoll for the other units.

One of the units in Ingersoll will be operated by United Way Oxford and the Oxford County Community Health Centre while the other will be run by CMHA Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services. The new unit in Woodstock will be operated by Assisted Living Care Homes.

A transitional housing unit is a place where people who don't have a home can stay for a limited amount of time, where they will also have access to services that will help them secure permanent housing on their own.

During yesterday's meeting, Warden Ryan says County Council also approved a guideline for Council members to use while they're advocating with other levels of government.

"This Advocacy Framework is really about, how do we have really constructive conversations with our provincial and federal partners, so we can turn the needs of Oxford into needs for the provincial and federal governments, so they will help us help the problems for Oxford County residents."

He used mental health, homelessness, and addiction as example, adding the Ministry of Health should step up and provide more support through hospitals and such.

Council also heard a delegation from a recent high school graduate, Nathan Bean. He raised concerns about the Oxford Road 6 (Embro Road) and Oxford Road 28 (Road 96) intersection, calling it a "source of danger, tragedy, and embarrassment for Oxford."

Warden Ryan says visibility is clear in all directions at the intersection, and there's a large stop sign with a flashing light on it to catch the driver's attention. County staff also also planning to add rumble strips to the intersection.

That being said, Warden Ryan says he would like to hear what experts have to say moving forward.

"I am not in favour of any particular solution whether it's a four-way stop, roundabout, rumble strips, whatever. I am in favour of whatever is safest and we have amazing Public Works staff in Oxford County. They're educated in this, they are experienced in this and they're going to go and read all of the best practices journals from all over Ontario, Canada, the United States, and the world and let us know what is most effective at that type of intersection. That is what I want, is what's most effective. Whatever that looks like that's going to make residents safe, that is the solution that I want."

During his interview with Dan and Marcie this morning, Warden Ryan also discussed the following:

- How the open house for the new Zorra Township Municipal Office has been postponed to September.

- The story behind the old municipal office on Highway 19.

- The strategies Zorra Township has implemented to attract and retain staff. How the four-way work week benefits staff and residents.

You can listen to the full interview below: