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.
Community meeting presentation available online
On May 29, we hosted a Near Neighbour Meeting at Christ Church Cataraqui from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to share updates about the new temporary emergency shelter. The session was moderated by Jennifer Campbell, Commissioner, Community Services, and included opening remarks from District Councillor Paul Chaves and a presentation by Jayne Hartley, Director, Housing and Social Services. Approximately 200 residents in the neighbourhood surrounding the future shelter site attended and had the opportunity to hear more details on the proposed operations and site plan for the temporary emergency shelter and ask questions of City staff and Kingston Police. We sincerely appreciate the time that everyone took to attend the May 29 meeting.
Questions and answers
Questions received through the webpage and during the May 29 meeting have been themed and answered in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the project page. The FAQ section will continue to be updated as more questions and comments come in.
Next steps
A follow up meeting is being planned to continue the conversation with community and near neighbours on this shelter project and to begin developing a community liaison committee. As details are finalized they will be shared so we would encourage you to Follow the Project or contact us to receive these updates by email.
The 924 Sydenham Road Project Team
On May 29, we hosted a Near Neighbour Meeting at Christ Church Cataraqui from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to share updates about the new emergency shelter. The session was moderated by Jennifer Campbell, Commissioner, Community Services, and included opening remarks from District Councillor Paul Chaves and a presentation by Jayne Hartley, Director, Housing and Social Services. Approximately 200 residents in the neighbourhood surrounding the 924 Sydenham Road Shelter site attended and had the opportunity to ask questions of City staff and Kingston Police. We sincerely appreciate the time that everyone took to attend the May 29 meeting.
While we work to compile all of the questions received during the meeting in order to theme and respond to concerns raised, we want to ensure that neighbours who weren't able to attend can access the presentation (which is included below). If you require the presentation in an alternate format, please contact us.
If you have questions about the shelter, please share them with us using the form here on Get Involved Kingston. To report a concern with clean up on public property, use our Service Request portal on MyKingston. Reports to Kingston Police can be filed online or by calling 613-549-4660. In emergencies, please call 911.
Slide 1: Near Neighbour Meeting
Slide 2: Land Acknowledgement 
Slide 3: Agenda and guidelines for participation 
Slide 4: Emergency house responses 
Slide 5: New Emergency Shelters Transitional/Supportive Housing 
Slide 6: Location of 994 Sydenham
Slide 7: Operations/Services
Slide 8: Building
Slide 9: Operations/Staffing
Slide 10: Site Plan
Slide 11: Layout
Slide 12: Community Liaison Committee
Slide 13: Major Milestones
Slide 14: How can I be involved?
Slide 15: Agenda and guidelines for particiaption
Slide 16: Meet the team
Slide 17: Frequently Heard Questions and Community Concerns
Slide 18: Why was there no earlier consultation on selection of this site? Why this site?
Slide 19: Encampments in greenspace and cemetery
Slide 20: Increased drug use and un-desired activities in area?
Slide 21: People hanging around the site when overnight shelter operations end?
Slide 22: Questions?
