Ninety-six individuals, including 20 children, were found living without stable housing in Oxford this winter.
The point-in-time count was conducted on Dec. 11 by a group of social service workers and volunteers for Oxford Area Solutions For Housing (OASH). Unhoused individuals were identified through shelters, schools, courts, social service agencies and visits to local camps.
Of the individuals identified, the majority reported living in vehicles or with family and friends. Others were found living in sheds, agency-paid motels, shelters, jails and on the street. OASH was able to locate two camps where groups of unhoused people were staying. One, a farm located just outside of Oxford, had 12 inhabitants. Another camp was found along local railroad tracks, with an unidentified number of individuals camping.
“I counted someone who is managing a chain pizza restaurant in a nearby town,” Emily Liechty, executive director of Oxford Seniors, said. “They’re working full time and they’re living in a tent.”
According to the group’s report, a single mother in her 30s was identified as living in an agency-paid motel with her young four children, ages 1 to 14. She works and is a full-time college student. After leaving a domestic violence situation, she has been supported by a service agency and the Talawanda school district but is uncertain where her family will live next.
Many unhoused individuals who were interviewed during the count cited struggles with mental health, disability, illness, drugs and alcohol.
Another story told in the group’s report was of a man in his early 40s who was found camping out with his partner in a tent located on private property. He has been homeless for over three years. Due to chronic physical and mental health conditions, as well as struggles with alcohol and drugs, he has been unable to hold a job or live in steady housing.
Of those interviewed by Oxford volunteers, 10 people said they had been living in shelters or on the streets for three or more years.
Project volunteers were trained based on standards set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to ensure the count, as well as any interviews conducted, were done ethically.
“We are walking into these people’s spaces, and we wanted to make sure to do it in a way that was respectful and safe for both of us, but particularly the unhoused people,” Liechty said.
Liechty describes OASH as a grassroots organization with strong community roots.
“OASH works really hard to identify real tangible problems that we can address using the skills, ability and social connections in the room,” Liechty said.
At monthly meetings, attendees discuss ways to improve the housing situation in Oxford, OASH facilitator Diane Ruther-Vierling said.
“We envision Oxford as a loving, compassionate, accepting community where no one wants for safe, secure housing,” Ruther-Vierling said.
The next meeting for OASH will be held on Feb. 26 and is open to anyone in the community wanting to get involved.
