924 Sydenham Road

At the end of November, we held our second Community Liaison Committee (CLC). The following is a summary of the discussions and the presentation by CFOC -Doors of Compassion (CFOC-DOC), the organization that will be operating the 924 Sydenham Road Shelter.

After a welcome and Land Acknowledgement, the balance of the meeting was dedicated to the shelter operator. CFOC- DOC gave a presentation about their organization (Slides below) before spending the remainder of the meeting in a Q&A with CLC members.

Q & A

Questions from CLC answered by Doors of Compassion

Why Kingston?

CFOC- DOC has a successful model that they would like to share with other areas. Members of CFOC- DOC also have personal experience working in social services and with family members who have direct experience with struggles related to homelessness. Their model is a trauma-informed, dignity-based, and non-judgmental approach that builds relationships. They have the capacity and the model to fulfill Kingston’s RFP.

Additionally, CFOC- DOC has connections with agencies doing some of this work in Kingston, such as Tipi Moza and Ryandale. They are familiar with the work being done. They acknowledge there is much to learn but know that with their experience and the knowledge of local partners they will be able to serve the community. CFOC- DOC is confident their model can be operationalized anywhere in the country.

Who from the Doors of Compassion team will be in Kingston?

924 Sydenham Road will be part of an existing Shelter Manager portfolio and comes with close to 30 years' experience in social services. Additionally, there are CFOC- DOC team members who are planning to relocate to Kingston, and CFOC- DOC will be actively recruiting staff members in Kingston.

CFOC- DOC will also work in partnership with local organizations to hire people who will fit the needed roles for the shelter. The Executive Team will be very intentional and involved in the process.

How will Patrons be selected for the program?

City Staff will work in partnership with CFOC- DOC and move individuals into the shelter through a coordinated access approach. City Staff are currently collecting information from City funded shelters, transitional and supportive housing projects to better understand the level of acuity and needs of those living. The goal will then be to move people to services and locations where they are best aligned for success. Opening of the shelter will be a phased one to ensure Patrons have the time to adjust and ensure social connections are successful. CFOC- DOC has experience using a phased approach to opening at their Whitby shelter and found it to be successful

Will there be limits on who can use the Shelter?

Nobody under the age of 18 will be permitted to live at 924 Sydenham Road. Anyone over the age of 18 can be referred as long as they are housing focused and abiding by rules and expectations.

How can the community help you?

A detailed plan on how to build partnerships and communicate will be shared in the near future. CFOC- DOC is 100% open to having opportunities to build. Will be having conversations with those who are unhoused in Kingston as well.

How do you address stigma?

CFOC- DOC operates a “Coffee with Cops” initiative that has seen great success. What started as 4 Patrons attending has turned into full attendance of 50+ Patrons. It has helped police and shelter Patrons to see each other in a different light, know one another by name, and break down stigma. Crime rates have reduced since being there, and Patrons even go into the community to help clean up the area.

What is a “Hub”?

In one of their Durham region locations, CFOC- DOC operates a full-service hub that acts as a community center with wrap-around services. This is different from the Integrated Care Hub in Kingston. CFOC- DOC does not operate a safe-injection site.

How would you deal with a complaint from a neighbouring resident about someone on their property?

CFOC- DOC explained how they would listen to the residents, welcome them and sit down with them. They would also work alongside the shelter Patron to correct that behaviour.

Warnings will be provided. If not adhered to, then the Patron would have to leave the property and CFOC- DOC would support them being relocated. Staff are trained in deescalation and would only involve police if needed. They have been very successful in changing the direction of behaviours.

Also, CFOC- DOC is mindful that not all issues are related to Patrons, though shelter Patrons are often blamed. They will work to do research and investigation and seek evidence such as camera footage.

What will happen if a Patron is using drugs next door to the shelter or in the surrounding area?

No drug use will be permitted on shelter premises or within the surrounding area. If caught in the immediate area, they will have conversations and explain the consequences. If it continues, they place themselves at risk of losing their bed.

What should I do if there are drug use or paraphernalia concerns?

Communicate with CFOC- DOC about concerns as they can bring issues up at their weekly house meetings with Patrons. Staff will be working to ensure that Patrons are disposing of things in a safe manner, not littering in the community and doing community clean-ups. The team is trained to collect at retrieve paraphernalia.

Recognizing the issue of addiction, CFOC- DOC’s program works with individuals to get them to a place that they do not need to use anymore. They work with individuals to help them succeed and work with the community to make sure the problem is taken care of. They will be partners to make sure the community is heard and that the community is aware of the steps they are taking.

Will there be a sharps disposal bin on site?

Yes, while Patrons are not permitted to use on site or in the immediate neighbourhood, CFOC- DOC encourages them to bring needles to the property for proper disposal. This has successfully minimized needles in other locations.

What steps will be taken for community safety?

CFOC- DOC will ensure the site is monitored and maintained. Will also help to locate and bring back a Patron if necessary. Will conduct ongoing conversations and house meetings to foster growing respect for the neighbourhood and one another.

There will be security and a curfew from 10pm-7am with some grace. This system helps reduce loitering. As mentioned, CFOC- DOC uses a strike system and facilitates conversations about how they can help.

How many staff will work at a time?

There will be a minimum of 3 staff at all times. Will have manager, team lead and security. Aim to avoid saturation but ensure minimum of 3.

Questions from CLC answered by Housing & Social Services

Is the Adelaide Street Emergency Shelter (38 Cowdy Street) closing?

Yes, Adelaide shelter is closing, and those beds will be shifting to 924 Sydenham Road and new supportive housing units. It will not necessarily be a direct shift, but a coordinated access approach will be taken to ensure that Patrons are matched with the appropriate place. Adelaide was always intended to be temporary, and there are structural concerns with the site. When 924 Sydenham Road shelter opens the capacity at Adelaide shelter will be reduced by 30. This will leave Adelaide shelter at 25 individuals. The remaining individuals will be relocated to an appropriate site as the 3 new supportive housing sites come on-line in the first quarter of 2026 and Adelaide Street Shelter emergency shelter services wind down as of March 31, 2026.

Other places opening in 2026 include Queen Mary Road, targeted to open by July 1, 2026 for individuals aged 55+ that have mobility issues. Queen Mary Road will also include a primary health clinic and community space for transitional housing residents. 484 Albert Street youth Services is targeted to open Summer of 2026 and will include 38 transitional youth units.

Is 924 Sydenham Road a temporary shelter?

Yes, the plan is for the shelter to operate for up to 5 years Modular design will allow for movement. Potential for other uses of the site post-shelter.

How will trust be built with the community?

We cannot do this alone. We need our partner agencies and an intentional approach to find the best ways to support individuals and the community.

Will there be an opportunity for neighbours to visit the site?

Yes, The CLC will have the opportunity to tour 924 Sydenham Road. Additionally, some form of open house will be hosted for all near neigbours. Logistics will be determined at a later date closer to opening.

Will CFOC- DOC be operating one of the Supportive Housing Units that have been purchased?

The agreement with CFOC-DOC is only for Sydenham Road. For the other three sites, we will decide which operator is best for each location based on the agencies that are successful in the RFSQ process. Best matches based on community and demographics.

CFOC-DOC Slides:

Please be advised Sydenham Road will be closed from Princess St to Cataraqui Woods Dr on December 15th from 9am to 12pm for an urgent pole replacement by Hydro One for the 924 Sydenham Road Shelter project.

Local traffic will be accommodated as per the posted detour signage and access for emergency vehicles will be maintained by the contractor accordingly.

The following map indicates the closure:

At the start of November, we held the first Community Liaison Committee (CLC) meeting for 924 Sydenham Road. The committee is composed of 9 community members in addition to City staff. Members bring unique lived experiences and perspectives, having been selected to be representative of the diverse interests of the area. Members have a shared interest in supporting the shelter and voicing any concerns.

The Committee engaged across three segments:

• Roundtable Introductions
• Background & Events to Date
• Shelter Operations Q&A

Roundtable Introductions

CLC members shared their various vocations and lived experiences, including working with people experiencing homeless and mental health. The committee also saw representation from the parent perspective of having children in the district.

Background

During this discussion, CLC members asked questions about traffic, parking and road safety with an emphasis placed on the lack of a sidewalk for northbound foot-traffic. Staff shared that there has been a request for a study into a possible reduction of the speed limit from 60km/h to 50km/h.

The committee also asked questions regarding the satisfying of all necessary permits (i.e. planning). Staff explained that a rigorous process was followed including additional costs to ensure tree protection, fencing, lighting and accessibility.

Operations Q&A

The committee discussed the operations of the 924 Sydenham shelter. Staff clarified that individuals will be staying night after night and it will operate as a 24/7 shelter. Staff shared that this site is committed to recovery (i.e. no drug use). It is designed to be low barrier, so pets will be welcome.

There was broad consensus on the committee that communication with the community is key. Ideas for improving communication included ensuring everyone in the neighbourhood receives a post-card as well as sharing documents and allowing neighbours the opportunity to provide feedback. The members of the CLC acknowledged the importance of effective communication to address misinformation.

CLC members asked about direct mechanisms to provide feedback or observations once the shelter is up and running. Staff suggested these be reported via MyKingston service requests, as well as City Council and the Street Outreach team.

Next Steps

The next CLC meeting is scheduled to occur at the end of November.

Construction at 924 Sydenham is well underway to prepare the site to welcome the trailers. This includes grading, utility installation, tree protection and related activities.

The has been a slight delay in delivering the trailers to Kingston. We now expect them to arrive in Kingston in early November. They will be temporarily staged at the Cataraqui Area before being moved to the site. When moving the trailers to 924 Sydenham Road, neighbours and drivers will be notified, as this will involve a scheduled road closure. Information about any service disruptions will be shared closer to these dates to keep the community aware of the construction activities and any impacts to the public.

If you have questions or comments about the project, please let us know.

The project contractor has now mobilized on site at 924 Sydenham Road. Construction fencing installation has begun, and tree protection measures will be put in place over the next few days. Full site work, including grading, utility installation, and related activities is expected to begin later this week or early next week.

In preparation for site operations, trailers are scheduled to arrive in Kingston on Sunday, October 5th. They will be temporarily staged at the CatKin Arena before being moved to the site early on Monday, October 6th. This will involve a scheduled road closure. More information about this service disruption will be shared closer to these dates to keep the community aware of the construction activities and any impacts to the public.

Update: Applications for Community Liaison Committee now open

The application for the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) is now available. All community members may apply to join the CLC, however please keep in mind that applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Lived or living experience with homelessness
• Proximity to the shelter, with people who live closest prioritized for participation
• Demonstrated commitment to active and productive participation
• Availability to attend meetings

If you would like to receive an alternate format of the application by email, please let us know by contacting GetInvolvedKingston@CityofKingston.ca or calling 613-546-0000.

A review and evaluation of the application will follow which may include outreach to applicants as needed. Applications close October 3, 2025 at 4 p.m.. The first meeting of the CLC will take place in person on Nov. 5.

Community Liaison Committee Mandate and Terms of Reference

The mandate of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) is to provide a means of connecting near neighbours, business owners, site operators and City support teams to share information, identify concerns and challenges, determine mitigation strategies and support the successful integration of this project into the broader Sydenham Road community. Committee members are guided by the approved Terms of Reference.

Review the Terms of Reference for the Sydenham Road Emergency Shelter Community Liaison Committee.

The Terms of Reference may be adjusted following the initial meeting of the CLC, which is expected to be held the first week of November (date and location to be confirmed).

The mandate of the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) is to provide a means of connecting near neighbours, business owners, site operators and City support teams to share information, identify concerns and challenges, determine mitigation strategies and support the successful integration of this project into the broader Sydenham Road community. Committee members are guided by the approved Terms of Reference.

Review the Terms of Reference for the Sydenham Road Emergency Shelter Community Liaison Committee.

The Terms of Reference may be adjusted following the initial meeting of the CLC, which is expected to take place in November 2025.

Applications

All community members may apply to join the CLC, however please keep in mind that applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Lived or living experience with homelessness
• Proximity to the shelter, with people who live closest prioritized for participation
• Demonstrated commitment to active and productive participation
• Availability to attend meetings

Applications closed Oct. 3, 2025.

We’re pleased to share that new responses to frequently asked questions are now available on the project page. These updates reflect the ongoing conversations we’re having with community members at in-person meetings, questions sent through Get Involved Kingston and comments and questions shared with the project team through your District Councillor.

We continue to work closely with agency partners such as Kingston Police to provide answers to your questions and appreciate your patience while we’ve worked to compile this information on Get Involved Kingston.

As the project moves forward, we encourage you to stay involved by letting us know how you’d like to participate. Visit the project pages to read the latest updates and share your input.