Integrated Care Hub @ 661 Montreal St.

Consultation has concluded.


The ICH provides 24/7 low-barrier* and wrap-around** services to vulnerable citizens with immediate needs such as safety, food and rest and longer-term needs such as addiction and mental health services.

This innovative way to directly meet complex needs was proposed by HIV/AIDS Regional Services (HARS) and Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) with support from multiple other community partners. The current site of the ICH at Artillery Park has been open 24/7 since July 31st and continues to provide much needed and life-saving services for our most vulnerable community members.

City Council approved the use of 661 Montreal Street as the new home of the ICH and the City is supporting the development of the property for use by our community partners.

The Integrated Care Hub at 661 Montreal St. will be operated by HARS with harm reduction and Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) offered by KCHC. Both organizations are experienced local service providers with a proven track record working with people experiencing a range of specialized needs. HARS and KCHC are experienced community partners who know that it is vitally important to listen to our neighbours and the local business community to collaborate effectively on the development of this life-saving community resource. * reduced requirements for individuals to receive services **meeting needs with a community-based service approach

We want to hear from you.

Collaboration and communication with our local community will anchor the success of development, implementation and delivery of this holistic service hub.

We need your feedback and collaboration as we make this centre a reality. 

We hope you find the resources and updates on this page informative and we encourage you to:

You can always email us directly with your feedback at housing@cityofkingston.ca.

Thanks in advance for your collaboration in this exciting project!



The ICH provides 24/7 low-barrier* and wrap-around** services to vulnerable citizens with immediate needs such as safety, food and rest and longer-term needs such as addiction and mental health services.

This innovative way to directly meet complex needs was proposed by HIV/AIDS Regional Services (HARS) and Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC) with support from multiple other community partners. The current site of the ICH at Artillery Park has been open 24/7 since July 31st and continues to provide much needed and life-saving services for our most vulnerable community members.

City Council approved the use of 661 Montreal Street as the new home of the ICH and the City is supporting the development of the property for use by our community partners.

The Integrated Care Hub at 661 Montreal St. will be operated by HARS with harm reduction and Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) offered by KCHC. Both organizations are experienced local service providers with a proven track record working with people experiencing a range of specialized needs. HARS and KCHC are experienced community partners who know that it is vitally important to listen to our neighbours and the local business community to collaborate effectively on the development of this life-saving community resource. * reduced requirements for individuals to receive services **meeting needs with a community-based service approach

We want to hear from you.

Collaboration and communication with our local community will anchor the success of development, implementation and delivery of this holistic service hub.

We need your feedback and collaboration as we make this centre a reality. 

We hope you find the resources and updates on this page informative and we encourage you to:

You can always email us directly with your feedback at housing@cityofkingston.ca.

Thanks in advance for your collaboration in this exciting project!


Consultation has concluded.

  • First, and foremost, thank you for the great work that you do. Is it possible to bring donations of blankets, clothing, and homecooked meals to your site?

    Valeria asked over 4 years ago

    Thank you!  The ICH will be accepting donations once they open in their new location.  A list of much needed items will be made available on their website.

  • Currently at Artillery Park, 70 homeless folks can access beds and an addition 30 can access rest areas. What will the sleeping and rest capacity be at the new ICH at 661 Montreal St.

    TammyMarie asked over 4 years ago

    The capacity at the ICH will be similar to that at Artillery Park.  The staff at the ICH continue to work closely with Public Health to meet the social distancing and safety concerns that are Covid in nature.

  • If this wrap around care is so effective for the vulnerable population group why not simply create teams from the existing provincially funded agencies (HARS, KCHS, AMHS-KFL,HBH, social services and housing services) and house those teams within the various agencies current locations? How is duplicating these existing services housing anyone but the service providers themselves?

    TammyMarie asked over 4 years ago

    The purpose of the ICH is to specifically offer a low barrier, trauma informed space for clients to gather and provide these services and supports in a wrap around and holistic way.  The current structure of the above noted agencies does not allow for this type of service provision.

  • Kingston and the country of Frontenac have been awarded 3.6 million dollars specifically to help homeless people during the pandemic. Why is this money being spent on duplicating existing (federally funded) community services and not on providing actual housing for our most vulnerable population?

    TammyMarie asked over 4 years ago

    The money awarded to the City of Kingston and County of Frontenac has been used for a variety of supports and services including assistance to other supports such as shelters, food and meal programs and the ICH.  There was an identified need to assist client in stabilization prior to finding housing as many clients may not be successful in a housing placement if not appropriately supported.  The City has also acquired two buildings in an effort to work with the community to provide supported housing opportunities.

  • Will HARS and KCHC keep their other locations open or will they be completely relocated to 661 Montreal St?

    TammyMarie asked over 4 years ago

    Both organizations will continue to offer their other services at their current locations.

  • The City of Kingston provided (what appears to be hand delivered - no envelops or stamps) letters to near by residents/businesses in the neighbourhood of 661 Montreal St. What else has the city done to engage the community on plans for the ICH?

    TammyMarie asked over 4 years ago

    HARS, KCHC and the City have:

    1. Hand-delivered / mailed two informational flyers
    2. Hosting multiple upcoming online Zoom engagements (that can be accessed without a computer)
    3. Opening an ICH Information Centre (Wednesday, Oct 14) to meet physically-distanced but in person about the project
    4. Preparing site tours of facility when construction allows
    5. Regularly engaging with individual points of feedback from multiple sources (email, phone, petitions, etc)
    6. Get Involved Kingston Page 
    7. and much more...


    We are open to additional suggestions to collect feedback - please let us know if you have further ideas.

  • Is home based housing involved? If not why?

    Victor asked over 4 years ago

    Home Base Housing (HBH) works alongside the ICH however they are not a part of HARS or KCHC.  HBH does see many of the same clients through the housing first or prevention diversion programs.  The goal of the integrated care hub is to provide supports to individuals on site by various health, housing and social service agencies. HBH staff have and will continue to serve clients on site as required.

  • Can you operate the ICH without the safe injection site?

    Love Kingston asked over 4 years ago

    The consumption and treatment services (CTS) can be operated off site, however, since co-locating, there has been a significant number of individuals who use substances accessing the CTS that also have been able to take advantage of the co-location of the ICH and the services provided. The co-location has further assisted in reversing overdoses for a number of individuals. 

    Simply put, the addition of CTS provides not only adds life-saving services (overdose prevention, supervision, counseling, etc) but it also removes a powerful barrier to seek treatment.

  • What are the security plans to ensure the safety of the clients and neighboring residents/properties?

    Jill Donaldson asked over 4 years ago

    In addition to the security operating procedures already in place by HARS and KCHC, there will be on site security, a surveillance system, exterior lighting and partial fencing on site.

  • Why not choose a temporary solution that actually meets needs of project?

    ChrisS asked over 4 years ago

    The City considered a number of locations and properties across the City and the property at 661 Montreal was the best solution that met necessary space and zoning requirements. One of the paramount factors of the location is access. The ICH is perfectly positioned amongst a number of key supportive resources and overall, it is easy for vulnerable citizens to locate and access.