Sleeping Cabin Program Location

Option 4 received a favourable vote from the options presented in Report Number 23-226.

Sleeping Cabins Update and Next Steps (Option 4):

That staff be directed to work with Our Livable Solutions as the operators of the site on a wind down of the current Sleeping Cabin pilot program; and

That staff be directed to work with existing supportive and transitional housing providers in the Kingston area to prepare a plan for the residents who currently participate in the Sleeping Cabin program to transition to alternate housing solutions that meet their individual needs; and

That staff return to Council by end of March 2024, with the details of this transition plan, including required financial supports for service providers, associated transition timelines and potential alternative uses for the existing cabins.

Report Number 23-089 (Sleeping Cabins – Seasonal Transition Plan) was presented to Council on March 21, 2023 and the engagement summary is available.

Update: Online Engagement Events

Last updated Sept. 21, 2022

There has been significant interest in the upcoming engagements on the proposed expansion of the sleeping cabin program. Due to the volume of questions we have received we have decided to postpone to the online engagement events until a later date to allow more time to adequately provide answers to the questions we have received.

The sleeping cabin expansion engagement is currently on hold while we gather more information. However, during this time we are keeping a survey open to allow ongoing feedback and comments from the community.

We thank the community for your interest and your questions and want to ensure full details are available at the time of the engagement events. We will be announcing the new dates soon and they will be posted on this page. All of those who signed up to take part in the Rodden Park and/or Rideau Marina will receive details of the new dates through the email they registered with.

At the November 16, 2021 meeting, Council accepted a proposal from Our Livable Solutions (OLS) to operate a sleeping cabins pilot program for unhoused community members. The project included the installation of ten (10) sleeping cabins at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour (POH) and was originally slated to end on April 30, 2022. Each cabin is insulated and heated; washroom, laundry, and kitchen facilities were provided within the main POH building. Residents of the sleeping cabins program have been supported with housing and support services such as Prevention & Diversion, Housing First and Addictions & Mental Health services while residing on site. This new model of interim emergency housing provides a rapid response to address the increased prevalence of homelessness in the community. This model, which provides people with both a place to live and support services, has experienced early successes. Residents of sleeping cabins can access amenities and services that allow them to live more independently. The amenities and support services on site are a critical element of the program and a significant difference from the typical encampments established within the City.

At the May 17 Council meeting, it was resolved “that Council direct staff to report back with outcomes of sleeping cabin program evaluation and more detailed information on long-term and other potential sites for sleeping cabins, as identified in the Options/Discussion section of Report Number 22-145 in Q3 of 2022."

At the June 29 Special Council meeting, it was resolved “that Council approve up to $250,000 from the Housing and Homelessness Reserve to purchase ten (10) additional sleeping cabins to be located at a second cabin community location to be determined after consultation with OLS and staff research, and reported to Council by Q3 2022, starting in October 2022."

When looking for a longer-term location for the project, Staff reviewed various City-owned locations with consideration for the needs/services required to support the program. Additionally, while reviewing possible City-owned properties and amenities, staff were also approached by a private property owner, Homestead Land Holdings Limited, who has offered to lease its property for $1 per year to the City for a sleeping cabin program. Homestead also offered an initial donation of $750,000 to contribute to the initial capital cost and operations as well as a yearly donation of $50,000 for a three (3) year period to further support the operations of the sleeping cabin program. This represents a total potential donation of $900,000 over three (3) years at the Homestead property.

After this review Staff short-listed five (5) options for longer-term locations to accommodate the sleeping cabin program, including:

• 367 Gore Road
• Division St. & Elliott Ave
• Harold Harvey Centre
• Rodden Park
• Rideau Marina

Considering locations, criteria and estimated capital and operating costs related to the sleeping cabin program, staff have identified the Rideau Marina as the preferred location. This site meets criteria identified by the operator, OLS, can accommodate twenty (20) sleeping cabins and would not require any capital financial contribution from the City. The second location option identified by staff would be Rodden Park due to its limited active community use, but this option would have significant financial impact on the City.

It is proposed that the longer-term location be considered for an initial term of up to three (3) years. The program would be reassessed during that period to determine the need and effectiveness. Staff recognize that several additional affordable housing units and transitional affordable units are currently under construction and will be added in the next couple of years. It is therefore not known what the need for the sleeping cabins program will be at that time.

At the August 9th Council meeting, Council directed That Council direct staff to initiate a community engagement process for a sleeping cabin program at Rideau Marina and Rodden Park as required and report back to Council with details of engagement and plan in the Fall 2022.

The two locations we propose to Council to expand the sleeping cabin program are:

Rideau Marina, 48A Point St. Mark Dr. Sleeping cabins would be located east of the river.

Rodden Park, 87 Norman Rogers Dr. Sleeping cabins would be located east of the greenhouse on City property.