City Enters into Agreement with Women’s House Serving Bruce Grey for a Lease of the Rice House

Owen Sound Council has approved a lease agreement with the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey (WHSBG) for the lease of the Rice House (located beside the TOM on 1st Avenue West) for a three-year term beginning January 5, 2026.  This agreement is exciting for our community and demonstrates how a City asset is helping meet current local housing needs.

WHSBG proposes using the Rice House for the newly developed BIRTCH program described below, covering all costs, including utilities, maintenance, operating expenses, and property insurance. This aligns with Council’s ongoing commitment to support housing and homelessness solutions in Owen Sound, where possible.

While the lease generates minimal direct revenue, the true value of this arrangement lies in creating safe, stable living spaces within our community. Investing in transitional and supportive housing can help people remain more stable, leading to fewer crises and lower costs for emergency and social services.

What is the BIRTCH Program? Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey have developed the BIRTCH: Bring Integrity Respect Together in Community Housing program to intervene earlier and more effectively in the cycle of intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence (GBV). BIRTCH responds to the urgent and growing need for safe, long-term, supportive housing for women escaping abusive situations. Recognizing that many women are forced to remain in unsafe environments or face homelessness due to lack of affordable, stable housing options tailored to their circumstances, BIRTCH fills a crucial gap between emergency shelter and fully independent living.

WHSBG emphasizes that housing is foundational to recovery and empowerment by removing housing as a barrier to safety. With stable homes, community support, and structured programming, BIRTCH aims to help participants reclaim their lives and build a future grounded in safety, dignity, and strength.

If you or someone you know could benefit from support through WHSBG, visit their website for more information at www.whsbg.on.ca/

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca

Quotes:

“Owen Sound has embraced a unique opportunity with Women's House to leverage a city-owned asset, the Rice House, for the BIRTCH program, which we hope will bridge the gap between emergency shelter and independent living. Safe homes, strong partners, better outcomes for women and families, that’s a win!”

-      Mayor Ian Boddy, City of Owen Sound

“Securing the RICE House strengthens our ability to launch our new BIRTCH housing program, safe and stable third-stage housing for women, helping them move forward with confidence and dignity.”

-      Marcy Stocking, Executive Director of Women’s House.

Quick Facts:

• Known as the ‘Rice House’, the property has four separate units and was most recently used for temporary housing through the Ukrainian Village of Owen Sound.
• WHSBG served 643 individual women and 286 individual children in the 2024-2025 fiscal period.

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