Oxford Winter House to open for second season
This year, the shelter will reopen in the same location, courtesy of Brian Urell, owner of Fedora Transportation.
The Oxford Winter House, a temporary shelter, will reopen for its second season this winter through December, January 2027 and February 2027, Oxford Area Solutions for Housing (OASH) members learned during a meeting on Aug. 17.
Last year, the Winter House opened for the first time at 5223 College Corner Pike on Dec. 21, 2025, and operated through Feb. 28. It was organized by members of OASH and the local faith community with assistance from donations and grant funding from the City of Oxford.
This year, the shelter will reopen in the same location, courtesy of Brian Urell, owner of Fedora Transportation.
The Oxford Winter House Committee requested $106,634 from the City of Oxford in May, according to Assistant City Manager Jessica Greene, with a projected total budget of over $213,000. Last year, the city gave $70,000, and the Winter House received more than $97,000 in donations.
A board called Sheltering Oxford has been formed to oversee the Winter House, which currently has seven members and is working toward gaining 501c3 status.
In July, the city council voted to give $50,000 to the Winter House operations. According to OASH member Ann Fuehrer, the Oxford Winter House Committee currently has $57,000 in remaining funds to transfer to Sheltering Oxford to use this winter.
Fuehrer said in an email to the Oxford Free Press that Sheltering Oxford has applied for local grants. While donations will be needed, she said the board’s fundraising committee is still forming, and asks that anyone interested in making financial donations wait for the time being.
Last year, the Winter House had enough beds to accommodate 13 people at any given time, which will be available again this winter. According to preliminary data gathered by John Bailer, a volunteer and member of the Winter House Committee, 33 guests were provided shelter during the months it was open, with the median stay being around 21 days.
At least 18 guests found a place to stay after leaving the Winter House, Bailer said, and many were connected with social services.
Bailer told the Oxford Free Press of the Winter House operations last year, “The community was generous in support … and it was appreciated by the unhoused community and by those that were involved in doing this work, and we certainly hope that the community will rally once again in support of this type of effort.”
Sheltering Oxford is hiring an executive director to oversee day-to-day operations at the Winter House, which will be a part-time, paid, temporary position. Anyone wishing to apply may visit shelteringoxford.org/edjobdescription for more information.
OASH members were told the Winter House will still need volunteers this year to bring meals, supplies, talk with guests and offer their time, just as they did last year. Anyone wishing to volunteer can fill out an interest form at shelteringoxford.org/volunteer.
Announcements about any future Winter House staff positions will be posted to shelteringoxford.org.
