Owen Sound City Council has approved a new lease that will utilise a city-owned property to support women in need of safe, stable housing. The agreement allows Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey (WHSBG) to lease the Rice House, located on 1st Avenue West next to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery, for three years starting January 5, 2026.
Under the agreement, WHSBG will take full responsibility for all costs associated with the property, including utilities, upkeep, daily operations, and insurance. City officials say the arrangement reflects Council’s commitment to supporting housing and homelessness initiatives by making use of existing municipal assets where possible.
Although the lease itself brings in little direct revenue, the City notes the broader community benefit of providing secure housing options. Transitional and supportive housing can help reduce emergency situations and ease pressure on social and emergency services by offering residents greater stability.
The Rice House will be used to deliver WHSBG’s newly developed BIRTCH program. BIRTCH, which stands for Bring Integrity Respect Together in Community Housing, is designed to address the growing demand for long-term, supportive housing for women fleeing intimate partner violence and gender-based violence. The program aims to bridge the gap between short-term emergency shelter and fully independent housing.
WHSBG says many women are forced to remain in unsafe situations or face homelessness due to a lack of appropriate housing options. By offering stable homes alongside structured programming and community support, BIRTCH aims to remove housing as a barrier to safety and recovery, helping participants rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
“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," said Mayor Ian Boddy. "Safe homes, strong partners, better outcomes for women and families, that’s a win!”
“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," added WHSBG Executive Director Marcy Stocking.
Known locally as the Rice House, the property contains four separate residential units and was most recently used to provide temporary housing through the Ukrainian Village of Owen Sound initiative. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey supported 643 women and 286 children across the region.
Individuals seeking support or more information about WHSBG programs can visit the organization’s website at www.whsbg.on.ca.
