Community Liaison Committee Meeting #2 Summary

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: