CLC Meeting Summary: Sept. 9

On Sept. 9, 2026 we held our eighth Community Liaison Committee (CLC) meeting for 924/928 Sydenham Road.

The session opened with the acknowledgement of the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat and recognition of the Waabaabagaa Giizis (Changing Colours Moon).

The CLC heard updates from CFOC -Doors of Compassion, City of Kingston staff and submissions from the community. Members also reviewed reports from the first 6-months of shelter operation.

Operator Updates

•The shelter has added a new position focused on building life skills

• At the time of the meeting, 14 individuals had achieved housing with an additional 9 individuals preparing to move into transitional housing.

• The summer season was successful for the gardens. Raised beds included marigolds, veggies and herbs. Staff plan to expand garden and programming next year.

• CFOC-Doors of Compassion continues to build contacts with new agencies and host in-service education sessions

• In response to a question shelter staff also clarified the operational model is emergency housing:

The Sydenham Road Shelter is an emergency shelter where resident can stay onsite 24/7. There are certain expectations of patrons including curfews and working towards housing goals. The shelter operates with 24/7 staffing and provides meals and programming.

This differs from transitional housing where residents have rent, increased independence and may or may not have 24/7 staffing.

City of Kingston Updates

• Transitional Housing for individuals who are 55+ has opened as part of the Shared Care Model at 315 Queen Mary Road. The site also has the Midtown Health Home operated by Kingston Community Health Centres where individuals with a family physician will be rostered. At the time of meeting, 27 individuals had moved in including some patrons from the Sydenham Road Shelter.

• Shelter staff shared that one patron who completed their food handler certificate while in the shelter has now moved into the transitional housing and is already assisting in the kitchen.

• Staff clarified that the transitional housing at Queen Mary Road is designed to transition to permanent housing, with a focus on supporting individuals with achieving permanent housing or long-term care.

• The City continues to develop shelter standards to ensure consistency across the system. Staff have had successful meetings with operators and individuals accessing shelter. Staff continue to collect feedback through a survey for organizations referring individuals to shelter.

• Increased coordination with Street Outreach teams in preparation for the closure of Consumption and Treatment Services at the end of September. Teams across agencies come together every morning to identify where support is needed

• Staff also thanked a member of Kingston Police for joining the CLC. Members noted the value of communication and respect, with the opportunity for building positive connections with police through joint programming that CFOC-Doors of Compassion has successfully coordinated in other municipalities.

6-month Report

• CLC members had the opportunity to review a 6-month report from CFOC-Doors of Compassion and a report prepared by City staff.

• Members asked questions and provided suggestions to ensure information is reported clearly to Council and the community.

• Members described the first 6-months of operation as “outstanding” sharing that “the precedent sent by this shelter has been incredible.”

• Members noted that while stigma still exists, the track record of the shelter demonstrates the success of the model.

• The 6-month information report will be presented to Council at the meeting on Oct. 6, 2026 and links to the report will be shared to Get Involved Kingston.

Community Submissions

• Members discussed reports of loitering outside of a business on Purdy’s Court. Members of the shelter’s community care team responded and reported the incident to Police when the individual refused to move. The business owner had a discussion with the individual and they did move on. The business owner has taken additional security measures since. Staff noted the individual was not connected to the shelter at the time. Members discussed the difficulty of individuals not having a place to go and reiterated the value of the community care team in the area.

• Members also asked what happens when an individual is asked to leave the shelter. Staff explained how individuals are supported with accessing alternative services and transportation.

Next Steps

• Members agreed to move forward with bi-monthly meetings and reassess meeting frequency at the 12-month mark of the shelter operations.

• The next CLC meeting will be in November 2026.

• Members of the public can submit comments and questions to the CLC by using Contact Us | City of Kingston and indicating the submission is for the 924/928 Sydenham Road CLC.

Correspondence received prior to 12 p.m. on the day of CLC meetings will be added to that meeting's agenda to ensure members are updated on the most recent communication from the community.