CLC Meeting Summary April 29

On April 29, 2026, we held our sixth Community Liaison Committee (CLC) meeting.

The session opened with the acknowledgement of the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat.

The CLC committee made a clarification to the April 1 meeting summary and heard updates from the Shelter Operator, Doors of Compassion, the City of Kingston, as well as one submission from the community.


Amendment to April 1 Meeting Minutes

Community Submission 2 pertained to safety around the Lions Hall building which is situated across from the shelter.

Members clarified that safety measures were requested from the City to address property maintenance at the Lions Hall, rather than Shelter staff whose Community Care Team is already effectively monitoring the area.

City staff committed to taking this request back to the appropriate department to ensure property standards and safety are maintained at the Lions Hall site.

Staff Update -Old furniture has been removed from the site's exterior and working on opportunities to have motion sensor lights and cameras installed. More updates to follow at the next CLC meeting. Working to ensure property management company maintains property standards at the site.


Operator Updates

Doors of Compassion staff shared the following information:

  • Shelter beds continue to be full
  • The Community Care Team continues to serve the area. It has been mostly quiet. One former patron who left the shelter returned to the area and was in crisis. The Community Care team responded and continues to offer support and check in on local businesses.
  • Building relationships by doing weekly cleaning on Friday’s outside Tim Horton’s
  • Update on individual housing success. A total of 8 individuals housed in conjunction with partners.
    • Two additional individuals have been housed in transitional programs.
    • Two more individuals were scheduled for placement in the coming weeks.
    • Numerous patrons are searching for housing and working towards housing goals
    • Level of turnover has decreased as patrons are getting into the routine and recognizing the benefits of the program.
  • One team member received a call from a Dr. at KGH who had heard praise from patrons who had visited the hospital.
  • Patrons have also been successful at finding employment and returning to seasonal employment. One patron is also continuing their education virtually.
  • Staff noted that some patrons are choosing the shelter based on the location.
  • Staff have also helped patrons do taxes, get IDs, begin exercise programs, and develop budgeting skills.
  • The Doors of compassion model is now known in the community as it becomes one part of the network supporting people locally.
  • Preventative fumigation occurs monthly which prevents an outbreak of any kind.
  • Two dogs currently at the shelter.

The CLC had the following additional discussions:

  • Members asked for clarification about the shelter’s capacity. Staff clarified that capacity is 30. Additional 15 beds would only be added in response to extreme heat or cold as declared by the province.
  • Members asked how patrons get around. Staff shared that a shuttle comes multiple times daily and patrons also use the bus. Through ODSP or the Municipal Fee Assistance Program most patrons have a free or subsidized pass. Taxis are sometimes used for important appointments.
  • Members also asked if dinner is always a hot meal and who supplied meals. Staff confirmed that dinner is always hot. Breakfast and lunch are sometimes hot as well. Meals are provided by St. Vincent De Paul whose new facility grants them the capacity to provide local meal options.
  • Members raised traffic concerns and the risk to individuals who are panhandling near Princess Street and Sydenham Road. Staff shared that not many patrons of the shelter partake in panhandling. Members agreed it could be beneficial for local safety and perception to limit panhandling in the area as it is a busy area and the practice is often attributed to the shelter. City staff committed to exploring by-law and provincial traffic acts and practices by other municipalities.
  • Members also requested that shelter staff share additional business cards with local businesses. Shelter staff committed to doing additional business card drop-offs with their contact info. Staff shared that work on the retaining wall, front pathways and sodding is scheduled and will be starting in May. Staff are also preparing gardens.


City of Kingston Updates

City staff shared the following:

  • An overview of the project budget:
    • 2,450,000 for purchase of property with 65,000 for closing costs
    • 157, 990 for site work
    • Trailers just under 2 million, specific number to be reported at next meeting
    • This brings the total project budget to approximately $4,300,000
    • The annual operating budget is $1,843,000
  • We often assume using existing properties is easier. However, retrofitting and bringing old buildings to code introduces significant costs. The 924/928 Sydenham Road property with temporary trailers also allows for potential redevelopment.
  • An update on the request to invite Kingston Police to CLC meetings. Staff shared that they are going through proper channels to ask if members of Kingston Police can attend the CLC. The outcome of the request and frequency of police attendance will depend on capacity.
  • Information about the 10-year Housing & Homelessness Plan review and Update. The City procured Beam Group to complete the review and update. The review provides the opportunity for community input and uses local data to inform future housing and homelessness services.
  • Kingston will be introducing shelter standards. These standards will cover policy and procedures, safety and data reporting.
  • The local By-Name-List received national certification from the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness’ by Built-for-Zero. This recognition affirms the quality of local data on individuals experiencing homelessness.

The CLC had the following additional discussions:

  • Members asked about spending on supportive housing citing some community concerns about the purchasing price of properties. Staff emphasized the importance of matching properties and services. Supportive housing serves more people as it helps prepare people for independent living, New supportive housing will allow movement along the housing continuum, serving many individuals over time. Locations in quiet neighbourhoods also support stability and housing goals. The long-term benefits of these properties are significant, and operating costs are lower as it is further on the housing continuum.
  • Members encouraged more public education about how emergency shelters and supportive housing save money, such as the reduced costs for law enforcement, emergency services and healthcare.
  • Members were impressed with property maintenance at the shelter. They inquired about standards at other properties in the area. Staff indicated the properties mentioned were not owned by the City. Property standards can be reported to by-law.
  • Members asked if individuals accessing shelter can receive medical and dental care. Staff shared that Kingston Community Health Centres’ Street Health sees anyone who is not connected to another doctor.
  • Members also raised concerns that taxi/uber drop-offs sometimes occur across the street, posing a safety risk with traffic. Staff committed to taking back this feedback to explore potential marking for a designated drop-off area. Staff have contacted local taxi providers to request individuals be dropped off at the shelter rather than across the road.
    • Staff Update - The City is exploring ability to have a drop off zone where Uber; taxi; amazon deliveries can use for quick drop offs. Width of spot to be determined - if can accommodate both one car drop off spot and allow bikes then may be possible. Update to follow at the next CLC meeting.
  • Members asked about garbage and recycling at the shelter. City staff shared that the waste removal bin was situated at the front of the parking lot as the safest location for pick-up. Staff committed to exploring the possibility of recycling. Shelter staff also indicated potential for compost bins and rain barrels as they prepare for the garden. The shelter also has reusable dishes to minimize waste.


Community Submissions

The CLC reviewed one community submission which pertained to vandalism at the Cataraqui Cemetery

The cemetery columbarium located nearest the shelter-side boundary was vandalized for a second time between Friday, April 24 at approximately 4:30 p.m. and Saturday morning at approximately 11:00 a.m. Members reviewed photos of the graffiti and read concerns pertaining to the sensitive nature of these structures.

Shelter staff shared there was no indication this graffiti was done by a member of the shelter based on security footage and staff observations. The graffiti on the columbarium has not been found around the shelter or elsewhere in the community. Staff shared that additional fencing along the cemetery boundary continues to be a possibility that is being explored.

Staff indicated they are hoping to have shelter patrons volunteer at the cemetery later this summer.


Next Steps

As per the terms of reference, CLC members discussed the format, frequency and duration of meetings moving forwards now that the first 6 months of in-person monthly meetings were completed. The preference of members will be determined by online poll prior to the next meeting. The preferred frequency, format and duration will be shared at the next CLC meeting in June.

Staff confirmed that the CLC will have the opportunity to offer input on the 6-month report which will go to Council in September.