News release issued Feb. 6, 2024.

City advances transitional and supportive housing options through property acquisitions

To meet the needs of the community, the City of Kingston has been acquiring properties for the purpose of affordable, transitional, and supportive housing for several years. Recently, the City acquired 206 Concession Street, 113 Lower Union Street and 309 Queen Mary Road.

In December 2023, 309 Queen Mary Road was purchased from Extendicare which operates a long-term care facility there. The City takes ownership of the property this summer as Extendicare relocates to a new, larger long-term care home in the west end in 2024. The property at 309 Queen Mary Road has the necessary zoning and physical design to allow for complex social and health care services to be provided on site.

Although the property at 309 Queen Mary Road has been secured, specific support services provided to complement transitional housing have not been decided. This property is not intended to be the location for the existing Integrated Care Hub. Rather, this is a unique opportunity to work with community partners to develop and provide both services and housing options on-site for those who need them. In the coming months, the City will host public engagement opportunities and work with community partners to develop this operational model.

On December 19, 2023, the City followed Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act) which provides that a meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered is a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board. This is the process the City has followed for all its affordable, transitional, and supportive housing and other property acquisitions.

The City of Kingston remains committed to finding safe, supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness in Kingston and will continue to work with partners to offer services and supports to those who need them. Learn more about housing and homelessness on the City of Kingston website.