Oxford Winter House opening delayed
Organizers of the city’s new temporary shelter have devised a temporary solution for those in need as temperatures dropped below freezing at the beginning of the month.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Dec. 17 to reflect new information.
After months of planning, the opening of Oxford’s Winter House was postponed just as temperatures in the city dropped below freezing. In the meantime, organizers of the temporary shelter devised a temporary solution.
The Oxford Winter House, organized by the Oxford Area Solutions for Housing (OASH) group and local faith community, was meant to open on Dec. 1, accepting 16 occupants at any given time until Feb. 28.
But just days before the shelter’s opening, on Nov. 28, the Oxford Winter House announced on its Facebook page operations would be delayed for at least a week due to damage to wiring caused by squirrels in the house at 5223 College Corner Pike. By press time Wednesday, Dec. 17, the shelter still wasn’t open.
According to the social media post, “Substantial repairs and construction are underway to ensure the safety of all the guests, staff, and volunteers entering the building.”
Temperatures in the Greater Cincinnati area dropped below freezing nearly every day leading up to Dec. 17, reaching below zero, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The highest snow depth recorded in the Greater Cincinnati area so far this month, according to the NWS, has been five inches.
In response, the shelter’s organizers began accommodating some unhoused clients Friday, Dec. 12 at an unnamed local hotel and transitioning them to the Oxford Vineyard Church on Sunday, Dec. 14, according to Senior Pastor John Richter.
Richter estimated, by Dec. 17, the organizers were able to accommodate around six people, which was below the church’s full capacity. Volunteers have been assisting with meals throughout this time.
“We decided to basically shut down our services (at the church) and let the building be temporarily for the Oxford Winter House,” Richter said.
He said the current plan is to start moving people into the Oxford Winter House before Dec. 21, or once the building is completely ready.
“Everyone’s been stepping up,” Richter said, adding at least eight churches have collaborated on the effort.
“It’s been amazing, I would say, and wonderful and beautiful to see people coming together, to really love and serve the community together,” he said. “I’m just in awe at the fact that I get to be a part of something, on a team of people, in a community of people as beautiful as Oxford that would value something like this.”
Anyone in need of shelter may call or text call or text (513) 817-5054 for information or a referral.
Although the exact opening date for the shelter remained unclear as of press time Dec. 12, the shelter’s organizers are still asking for volunteers. Anyone wishing to help may sign up at oashox.org/volunteer.
