Grand opening at 34-unit Blossom Park home was held on Aug. 20
Plan on attending Celebration Dinner in Woodstock on Nov. 8
Compiled by; Mark Schadenberg
In
the municipal election campaign last autumn there were many topics of
discussion and issues to be contemplated. The ideas and possibilities and complexities
surrounding affordable housing was a significant debate point.
Naturally,
every candidate had a viewpoint about lending a helping hand or creating a
system where there was more geared-to-income or subsidized housing available.
When assistive living is considered, programming is often also necessary,
ranging from employment training to meals, daily activities, social worker care
to simply friendly advice.
Affordable housing is part of the Oxford County mandate whereas I was elected to Woodstock City Council, but a concern to think about is the responsibility of all elected officials in Oxford whether from a city, town or township.
In
Woodstock, our community is lucky to have Indwell, which arrived here about a
dozen years ago to renovate the old Harvey Woods textile factory on VanSittart
Avenue to create apartments and to manage the Blossom Park facility. A few
years later an addition on VanSittart created even more apartments, and today
there are more than 70 units, and support programs through Indwell (www.indwell.ca) at the Harvey
Woods Lofts.
INDWELL
The
organization operating Harvey Woods Lofts with its 80 units is Indwell. The
Indwell program is based in Hamilton (1430 Main St East), but Woodstock is
extremely fortunate to have this group in our midst as well. Read their website
as Indwell offers more than just a ‘roof over your head’ but many also many
areas of assistance. Indwell also has its focus on Simcoe, London, Mississauga
and elsewhere.
In
Woodstock, Indwell has also been involved for about 15 years at the Blossom
Park complex just off Devonshire Avenue.
This
past Aug. 20, Indwell marked the official grand opening of its brand new 34-unit
3-storey apartment building, which coincides with the already-existing 27-unit townhouses
(See picture from Indwell website) built a few years ago. The new apartment
building is more than just energy efficient as the solar panels actually
produce more hydro than is required plus there is many additional construction
improvements (passive house standards) to enhance heating and cooling (Overall HVAC
system) as well. The estimated construction costs, according to an earlier
story in the Woodstock Sentinel-Review, is just over $7 million.
The
building features an impressive kitchen as residents eat dinner together
nightly.
Each
furnished apartment is about 500 sq ft and includes a kitchenette and private
bathroom for the tenant.
The
August open house and ribbon cutting included the possibility of touring
individual apartments as many of these independent residents were able to move
in during July.
Services
also include 24/7 on-call support, nurses and social workers, and peer support.
The
Indwell mission is: “Indwell exists to provide hope
and homes for all. Our supports and services are open to people from every
creed, race, ethnicity, sex, ability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Indwell engages with diverse communities: we actively identify and remove
barriers that prevent people from accessing and participating in our services.”
Their 2019 newsletter continues by saying: “Indwell is a
Christian charity that creates affordable housing communities that support
people seeking health, wellness and belonging.”
By the way, I recall when Indwell – under the name Homestead
Christian Care -- arrived in Woodstock to renovate the Harvey Woods building
and I must thank former mayor Michael Harding for his efforts at that time
along with contractor Sierra Construction, the County of Oxford, City of
Woodstock, and many local contractors for lending a hand in services supplied.
Photos from: Indwell
OXFORD COUNTY
Paul Beaton deserves special and additional recognition as he
is the Oxford director of human services, so his portfolio includes managing
and creating affordable housing projects in every corner of the county.
“Research has shown access to housing that is safe and affordable
is a key way to support individuals and families out of poverty. On National
Housing Day (Nov. 22) and every day, Oxford County is committed to addressing
the housing needs of our communities through key investments and innovative
projects like the Blossom Park multi-residential development,” added Beaton in
a Sentinel-Review story in 2018 (Link below).
Oxford County has undertaken a number of initiatives, continues
the Sentinel published item, to work towards meeting the housing needs of the
community, including the approval of a 10-year shelter plan, draft zero poverty plan
and the adoption of the housing first policy that outlines
how proceeds from sales of surplus county-owned property will be
reinvested to meet the growing demand for housing.
Over the past four years, the
county has awarded $7.7 million in federal and provincial funding and invested
$4.3 million in county funding to create 386 affordable housing units.
The same story in the Woodstock
daily noted, however, there are about 1,500 applicants at that time waiting for
geared to income housing.
Paul Beaton when interviewed by CBC Radio in London
Back
At Indwell
For
Blossom Park, funding was achieved through Oxford, and both the provincial and
federal (National Housing Co-Investment Fund) governments.
You can also learn more about Indwell at its Celebration Dinner on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Quality Hotel & Suites in Woodstock.
Indwell Community Homes
1430 Main St. East
Hamilton, L8K 1C3
866-529-0454
Facebook: Indwell
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Links (Please note the dates on each story as some entries
are from before 2019):
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Mark Schadenberg
I am: www.marklivesinwoodstock.blogspot.com
All comments here are the opinion of the writer.
And efforts have been made to verify facts, including supplying story links.
