924/928 Sydenham Road
Kingston’s New Emergency Shelter
The Shelter at 928 Sydenham Road is now operating, using a phased approach to support the welcoming of 30 individuals. Phased occupancy of this shelter is tied to the March 31, 2026 winddown of emergency shelter services at 38 Cowdy Street (Adelaide Street Shelter) with full occupancy anticipated by early March, 2026. For information on the Shelter Operator, CFOC Doors of Compassion, visit their webpage for 928 Sydenham Road Please subscribe to this Get Involved Kingston page for updates.
Watch the Online Community Info Session here: Online Community Info Session:Continue reading
Kingston’s New Emergency Shelter
The Shelter at 928 Sydenham Road is now operating, using a phased approach to support the welcoming of 30 individuals. Phased occupancy of this shelter is tied to the March 31, 2026 winddown of emergency shelter services at 38 Cowdy Street (Adelaide Street Shelter) with full occupancy anticipated by early March, 2026. For information on the Shelter Operator, CFOC Doors of Compassion, visit their webpage for 928 Sydenham Road Please subscribe to this Get Involved Kingston page for updates.
Watch the Online Community Info Session here: Online Community Info Session: 928 Sydenham Road Shelter
Watch a video tour of the shelter here: Sydenham Road Shelter Tour: 928 CFOC-Doors of Compassion
Community Liaison Committee
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.
Applications closed Oct. 3, 2025. Meeting summaries are shared here on Get Involved Kingston and emailed to project subscribers.
Request for Proposal (RFP)
The Request for Proposal closed in September 2025. CFOC Doors of Compassion was the successful proponent. Review the Request for Proposal on Biddingo
Shelter Operations
This new shelter has a 30-bed capacity, with room for an additional expansion of 15 beds during extreme weather events. The shelter offers emergency shelter services to individuals experiencing homelessness, The shelter is fully staffed 24/7 and offers space for couples, pets and the overnight storage of personal items. Showers and limited meal services are offered on site. In addition to shelter services, CFOC-Doors of Compassion works with clients to connect to individualized case management to support individuals working to transition into housing beyond emergency shelter services.
The shelter operations at 924/928 Sydenham Road operate out of the modular shelter structure installed on the property. This approach supports a number of desired outcomes: it allows for the rapid development of new shelter options in new locations; it reduces municipal costs by avoiding costly renovations; it allows the modular component(s) of the shelter(s) to be eventually removed and deployed elsewhere in the City for similar or alternate municipal purpose, and it allows properties acquired by the City to be developed over time to other municipal uses – including the potential future development of transitional and affordable housing responsive to future needs along the housing continuum.
The existing house on the property will remain and be utilized to support the shelter services as office or storage spaces, and/or as additional emergency housing support in the form of pre-transitional and or congregate living accommodations. These opportunities were included as part of the RFP process and defined within the scope of services to be delivered by Doors of Compassion. The new modular emergency shelter building is fully accessible and offers accessible space in all shared congregate areas.
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CLOSED: Applications are now closed.
Thank you for applying to take part in the Sydenham Road Community Liaison Committee (CLC). The mandate of the Community Liaison Committee 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.
Before applying, please review the Community Liaison Committee Terms of Reference.
If you require an alternate format for the application form, please email ContactUs@CityofKingston.ca or call 613-546-0000.
Applications close Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.
Notice of Collection
Information will be collected and used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other relevant privacy legislation. All comments made on this site are available to the public and may form part of public records. The City will give written notice in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to affected persons before granting a request for access to a record created through this survey if it includes personal information that the City has reason to believe might constitute an unjustified invasion of personal privacy.
Learn more about the City’s accountability and transparency responsibilities on our website.
Eligibility Information
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
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Ask a question
Questions about the new shelter can be shared here. Staff will aggregate questions by theme and respond through the frequently asked questions section of this project page.
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Community Liaison Committee
Related projects
Key dates
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May 29 2025
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October 03 2025
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November 05 2025
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January 29 2026
Who's listening
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Director, Housing and Social Services
JH -
Manager, Homelessness Services
JL -
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Commissioner, Community Services
Project timeline
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Property Acquired
924/928 Sydenham Road has finished this stage -
Renovations Underway
924/928 Sydenham Road has finished this stage -
Community Liaison Committee Formed
924/928 Sydenham Road has finished this stage -
Shelter Opens - 2026
924/928 Sydenham Road is currently at this stage
FAQs
- Will the City consult with the community?
- What is the difference between unsheltered homelessness, emergency shelters and transitional/supportive housing?
- How will the City stop encampments from forming around new shelters?
- Why is the City placing a shelter here?
- Will there be fencing on site separating the properties?
- How is community and neighbourhood safety being considered?
- What types of services will be offered here?
- I am concerned about the value of my property.
- What if encampments are set up on site or in the cemetery?
- Will there be people loitering around when overnight shelter operations end?
- What if people are denied service?
- Is this site zoned to allow a shelter?
- What assessments did the City conduct as part of due diligence and why does it not complete technical studies ahead of time?
- What about impacts on the road system, the neighbouring heritage site (Cataraqui Cemetery) and future Purdy’s Mill Park?
- Who will operate the shelter?
- What is the shelter’s capacity?
- How will the site be serviced?
- How many washrooms with the shelter have?
- How are shelter sites selected, why this location?
- How are clients selected? What happens if there is overflow?
- Are there plans to expand shelter services at this location?
- Will more policing resources be available?
- When is the next meeting and how can I make sure I’m notified of upcoming ones?
- Will there be more garbage collection and sharps disposal options?
- Why are there so many shelter and transitional housing facilities opening up here? Was the proximity to daycares and schools considered?
- How will meals work? Will they be served food there or will the kitchenette be used for all food preparation?
- Will there be a security plan put in place for shelter operations?
- What services are being accessed and where? What level of training will staff have to safely provide services?
- Is it too short a timeline to get the shelter established and operational by the end of the year (2025)?
- There are busy roadways nearby what about safety of those crossing the street? Will people be panhandling at intersections? Will there be an increase in vehicle traffic?
- What is the capacity of the shelter? How will it be set-up?
- Will Consumption and Treatment Services (safe injection sites) be re/located at any new sites/properties?
- What is the Integrated Care Hub (661 Montreal Street) and what services are provided at the ICH that are unique to that location?
Notice of Collection
All information received will be compiled and considered by staff for use under the purposes of this site. Information will be collected and used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other relevant privacy legislation. All comments made on this site are available to the public and may form part of public records.
How We're Engaging
We use the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation to let you know how feedback on a project will be used. Here's how we are seeking and using your feedback on this project.
Inform: We will keep you informed by providing balanced and objective information to assist you in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities and/or solutions.
Consult: We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.
Involve: We will work with you to ensure that your concerns and aspirations are considered and evaluated and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.
Collaborate: We will look to the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) for advice and innovation in formulating solutions and look to incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.