Engagement Recap & Next Steps

In May, we heard community perspectives and priorities that will inform the next phase of the 10-year housing and homelessness plan update for Kingston and Frontenac County.

While progress has been made since the last update, demand continues to grow, widening gaps in housing availability, affordability, and program capacity to meet community needs. Focus groups collected input from youth, seniors, Indigenous partners, community service providers, as well as individuals with lived and living experience with being unhoused. Interviews with municipal leaders in Kingston and the County of Frontenac helped identify strengths and gaps in the current housing system and recommendations for improvements.

In addition to the focus groups and interviews, over 250 residents from Kingston and Frontenac County engaged in person and another 275 completed the public survey. Residents provided feedback through a webinar, three Open Houses, and five pop-ups at community events and local non-profits Lunch by George and Martha’s Table.

This summer, the procured firm Beam Group Inc. will publish a detailed summary of what we learned from the community. Public input will inform the next phase of the 10-year plan update, guiding the development of objectives, strategies, and performance measures.

Beam Group Inc will present jurisdictional research and initial community input to the Housing & Homelessness Advisory Committee on June 11. Committee meetings are open to the public and minutes are published online: Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee | City of Kingston

We will continue work throughout the summer with the Draft Plan to be reviewed by the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee and presented to Council in Fall 2026. Afterwards, the Draft Plan will be submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for provincial review.