The term "encampment" is used to refer to an outdoor area where an individual or a group of people experiencing homelessness stay together, often in tents or other temporary structures.
Mayor’s Social Well-Being Task Force
Purpose
The Mayor’s Social Well-Being Task Force was established in 2023. The purpose of the Task Force is to:
- Work with Safe and Well Oxford and community partners to address the social well-being of the city
- Support initiatives that accelerate solutions to housing, mental health, safety and addiction issues in our community
Terms of Reference
On April 17, 2025, Council approved the terms of reference for the task force to establish clear guidelines, expectations, and a framework for the group’s work. The TOR will help the Task Force stay focused, organized, and effective in achieving its goals.
Members
The Mayor’s Social Well-Being Task Force includes representatives from Woodstock City Council, City of Woodstock staff, Oxford County staff and community agencies. Membership in the Task Force is not fixed and may change depending on priorities and initiatives.
Council Representatives
- Mayor Jerry Acchione
- Councillor Kate Leatherbarrow
- Councillor Liz Wismer-Van Meer
City of Woodstock Departments Represented
- Office of the Chief Administrator
- Parks and Recreation
- Public Works
- Woodstock Fire Department
Encampment Response
Addressing homelessness, including encampments, is a complex social issue. It requires all levels of government, community agencies and other stakeholders to work together to provide public, social and health-related supports.
Coordinated Encampment Response
The City of Woodstock is committed to ensuring that people experiencing homelessness receive the support they need while at the same time ensuring public spaces remain safe and accessible to all residents.
Our approach to helping individuals in encampments focuses on:
- The safety of those living in encampments
- Working with partners to provide essential supports, focusing on health and wellbeing
- Building trusting relationships to support the transition to indoor settings
- Providing access to safer, indoor spaces including shelter and housing
We have established a coordinated encampment response team to track and monitor the locations of encampments in Woodstock. The team includes representatives from:
- Oxford County Community Health Centre
- CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
- Operation Sharing
- Oxford County Human Services
- City of Woodstock bylaw, fire prevention, parks and waste management departments
The response team visits known encampments regularly to offer sanitation and safety supplies as well as connections to resources and support services.
Encampments on public property are only cleared once an encampment has been vacated and people living there have been offered safer, inside space and provided with notice and time to go through belongings.
Raising Issues
If you have an issue or concern, please contact the Mayor's Office. We will respond within seven days of receiving your concern.
Contact Us
City of Woodstock
P.O. Box 1539, 500 Dundas Street
Woodstock, ON N4S 0A7
Phone: 519-539-1291
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