• Reporting Out – Palmerston Crescent Meetings Feb. 9 and 11

    Near neighbours of Palmerston Cres. sit in small groups at tables and participate in the meeting to learn more about supportive housing

    On Feb. 9 and 11, 2026, City staff, with Ryandale staff present, led two community meetings to discuss the new supportive housing site on Palmerston Crescent. Approximately 20 near neighbours attended.

    City staff and site operator, Ryandale, shared information on the supportive housing model, explained the property selection process, described site operations, addressed concerns and outlined next steps. Following a short presentation and video, staff answered questions and heard feedback from attendees.

    Topics Covered

    Understanding the supportive housing model

    • Clarity on the difference between transitional and supportive housing
      • Review of housing continuum
      • Supportive housing is intended for people already stabilized, sober and working toward independence
    • Selection
      • Residents are selected through coordinated access, use of municipal “by-name list”
      • Most individuals moving in have already lived successfully in housing, and many have participated in Ryandale programming
      • No individuals with serious offences are admitted
      • Abstinence is strictly enforced
    • Property selection
      • Criteria for choosing this location: diversity of neighbourhoods, properties suitable for 7-8 individuals, budget constraints and need for renovations.
    • Length of stay and operations
      • Supportive housing does not have a fixed length of stay. Each resident has individual goals.
      • 24/7 staffing on site
    • Gradual move in, beginning in March

    Concerns and Feedback

    • Residents expressed frustration about how the property purchase and announcement were handled
    • City staff acknowledged these concerns and explained that the property purchase could not be publicly announced until the property had closed for privacy of the seller and the protection of the City’s bargaining position.
    • Many expressed that notice came too late, before holidays, unclear format
    • Concern about lack of meaningful community engagement prior to purchase, leading to mistrust
    • Repeated calls for greater transparency, earlier communications and better outreach (ex: mailouts to community mailboxes rather than door flyers)

    Safety concerns

    • Families worried about proximity to parks, schools and walking routes. Some feared increased crime or disorder.
      • Operator emphasized a track record of no safety incidents, strong vetting and ongoing staff presence
    • Some neighbours expressed discomfort with eight unrelated adults living in one home, but others noted that residents cannot choose neighbours and that large families already exist int he area.
      • City highlighted the City of Kingston - Good Neighbour Guide which is a useful resource for neighbourly behaviour.
      • The operator committed to being the best neighbour, citing testimonies and their high property standards

    Day-to-day activities, transit access and services

    • Ryandale programming: life skills, volunteering, responsibilities
    • Concerns about people congregating outdoors, noise and smoking
      • Operator committed to backyard smoking only, and exploring privacy options (i.e. gazebo) and being responsive to complaints
    • Recent policy change: elimination of smoking medical cannabis. Residents with a valid medical prescription can only use cannabis through prescribed edibles.
    • Request for fencing or screening for privacy
    • Residents questioned whether the location had adequate transit access, travel time to services, appointments, employment
      • Bus connections exist, residents already navigate transit independently
      • Residents in supportive housing need fewer intensive services than shelter or transitional housing residents
      • Taxi vouchers, volunteer drivers, bus passes are available as travel options

    Property standards and neighbourhood impact

    • Resident concerns about renovations not matching the neighbourhood (doors, windows)
      • This has been actively followed up on by City staff
      • Feedback has been communicated to the renovation operations coordinator
      • Cladding and trim work has yet to be done and they are working to have it match the community look and feel.
    • Commitment to maintain the property to neighbourhood standards
      • General upkeep (garbage, landscaping, snow removal) to be managed by City and contracted services.
      • Residents take part in household chores.
    • Decline in property values and resale concerns
      • Evidence that supportive housing does not decrease property values

    Accountability and reporting

    • City-Operator agreement includes clear expectations and oversight
    • Contact information for concerns or incidents
      • The house will have a landline phone, neighbours will be provided the number to contact
      • City can be contacted for property standards issues if operator does not respond and any other issues if neighbours find Ryandale has not responded to an issue
      • Police are to be contacted first for serious issues as one would with any serious issue
    • Ryandale will create a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) to support ongoing communication

    Zoning and Legal/Human Rights considerations

    • Many residents asked why:
      • There was no public planning notice
      • Supportive housing is allowed in low-density residential areas
      • Residents can’t have a say in specific locations
    • City staff clarified:
      • The home’s use is permitted under current residential zoning, planning notices and public meetings are specific to zoning bylaws or amendments
      • Ontario Human Rights Commission prevents community input that could amount to screening based on assumptions about residents
      • The City will review the process for earlier district-level engagement but cannot legally consult neighbourhoods on who moves into residential zones

    Broader concerns about homelessness, cost and policy

    • Concerns about municipal debt and spending on homelessness
      • Response: Confirmation that City’s debt is below and not near allowable limit, and that the cost of not supporting people (e.g. shelters, emergency response) is higher
    • Belief that homelessness in Kingston is rising due to migration from other areas, reference to other municipalities’ strategies
      • Response: Local homelessness figures are part of a national trend, not unique to Kingston, there is not a residency requirement for accessing municipal services
      • Confirmation that City staff participate in broader homelessness strategy planning with other cities
    • Doubts about the effectiveness of supportive housing, desire for more focus on prevention
      • Response: Different parts of the housing continuum play different roles, and clarification that preventative strategies are already in place (i.e. helping secure funding, rental support, working alongside private rental operators)
    • Discussion about when decision was made to purchase supportive housing units in multiple districts (Sept. 2 report)

    Building trust and moving forward

    • Acknowledgement from staff that the process caused fear and frustration
    • Apologies for communication gaps
    • Commitment to improving engagement ahead of future projects
      • Report to go to Council in July
    • Next steps: FAQ updates, reporting out, continued dialogue
    • Recognition that trust will take time to rebuild and that the City intends to stay involved and responsive

  • 1056 Palmerston Crescent - Supportive Housing Near-Neighbour Community Meeting Update

    This email was sent to all community members on Jan. 21, who registered for the Feb. 11 engagement session.

    Dear Palmerston Crescent community,

    We are reaching out today to share an update about the supportive housing meeting planned for Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Lancaster Public School to let you know we are adapting the meeting format and schedule in response to community feedback about public consultation on this project. Rather than a single large event, Ryandale and the City will host four smaller in-person meetings at the INVISTA Centre and a webinar. We know there is a lot of interest in the project, and these changes increase capacity to meaningfully engage.
    The near-neighbour meetings are reserved for residents within a 150-metre radius of 1056 Palmerston Cres. who received the information handout from Ryandale and the City in December. Up to two members from each household are invited to register. The updated form asks you to confirm your address and provides an opportunity to let us know what we can do to help you best participate during the session.
    • Addresses on Palmerston Cres. are invited to register for the first near-neighbour meetings on Feb. 9.
    • Near-neighbours who do not live on Palmerston Cres. are invited to register for the meetings on Feb. 11.
    If you live outside the 150-metre radius and did not receive a near-neighbour invitation, we invite you to attend a webinar on March 4, 2026. During the webinar, operators will introduce the supportive housing program and address concerns through a moderated Q&A session. We also invite you to stay current and updated through Get Involved Kingston, where information and opportunities for input on integration of the supportive housing project will be shared.
    Through the engagement process so far, we have heard that having meaningful conversations is important to people who live near to the property, and our goal is that through this adjusted engagement format we can include as many people and perspectives as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience re-registering for the meeting may cause. Please reach out to GetInvolvedKingston@cityofkingston.ca if we can assist.
    Regards,
    The 1056 Palmerston Cres. Supportive Housing Team
    Ryandale Housing & City of Kingston

  • Community Connections Newsletter from Ryandale

    The intended Collins-Bayridge District Supportive Housing Operator Ryandale Traditional Housing has shared their December Newsletter which shares achievements from the year and current initiatives.

    Read the letter from Operations Director, Patti Ridlon, below and the entire newsletter linked above.

    Letter from Ryandale Operations Director, Patti Ridlon

    As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible year we’ve had at Ryandale Transitional Housing. This year has been one of growth, resilience, and community. We’ve continued to provide safe, structured, and supportive housing for individuals navigating the challenges of homelessness, and the desire to remain clean and sober in their journey to start again.
    I’m proud to share that 12 residents moved into their own homes this year, a milestone that speaks to the strength and determination of those we serve. Even more inspiring, we are already on track for 6 additional residents to move into their own places in January and February of 2026, continuing the momentum of hope and progress into the new year.
    Our Resident Advisory Committee played a vital role in building community spirit this year. They organized a Halloween Decorating Contest that brought joy and creativity to our homes, coordinated holiday meals that ensured everyone felt included and celebrated, and hosted our Christmas party, which was filled with warmth and connection. Most notably, they led our first-ever Toy Drive, which was a resounding success and brought smiles to children and families across Kingston with the help of Loving Hands Kingston who delivered the toys to agencies in Kingston.
    None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our community partners and donors like you! Thank you so much and thank you to the City of Kingston, organizations such as KCCU, Skyline, Utilities Kingston, KAREA, the Rotary Clubs of Kingston, United Way, OTF, CFKA, the Davies Foundation, and so many more have stood alongside us, offering resources, encouragement, and unwavering commitment. Their generosity and collaboration have been vital in helping our residents take meaningful steps toward independence.
    As we look ahead, we remain focused on creating spaces where individuals can heal, learn, and grow.
    Thank you for being part of our Ryandale family and for helping us make a positive impact in the Kingston community.

    Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a healthy, hopeful start to 2026.
    With gratitude,
    Patti
    Operations Director, Ryandale Transitional Housing


    Read past newsletters and subscribe on the Ryandale Transitional Housing Website

  • Frequently Asked Questions now available!

    In response to community feedback following our update regarding a new supportive housing property at 1056 Palmerston Cres., near-neighbours have reached out seeking more information and clarity about the intended operator, community engagement and the site selection process. We've compiled a list of these questions, along with answers there on Get Involved Kingston. For near neighbours who have additional comments or questions, please reach out to us in the comment form in the Engagement Opportunities section, or email us. The project team will continue to read and compile questions and share back responses on the project page.

  • Collins-Bayridge Supportive Housing Update

    Today we are sharing an update on the location and potential operator of the Supportive Housing project in the Collins-Bayridge District. An overview is below:

    • We can now announce that 1056 Palmerston Crescent is the recently acquired Collins-Bayridge District Supportive Housing site.
    • Ryandale is the potential site operator. Ryandale operates multiple supportive housing sites, and you can learn more at their website
    • A near neighbour meeting will be hosted by Ryandale on February 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lancaster Public School (1020 Lancaster Drive).
    • As there is a strong need for Supportive Housing in our community, Ryandale and the City are looking to have this site open and operating before March 31, 2026.
    • Renovations are needed on the property, and work will start in early January 2026.

    In the advancement of our Strategic Plan goal of supporting housing affordability, the City has purchased 1056 Palmerston Cres. to be used as supportive housing. The funding for supportive housing acquisitions initiative was approved by Council on Aug. 12, 2025. To protect the confidentiality of property owners, the address was not shared until after property transactions were closed.

    Ryandale is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization that has been supporting the Kingston community for more than 40 years with multiple locations in the City. To secure operators for each site, the City issued a Request for Supplier Qualifications (RFSQ) for operators that have demonstrated experience and expertise in operating supporting housing properties.

    These supportive housing units are intended for individuals who have been staying in shelters for an extended period and are ready to transition to more stable housing but have been unable to do so due to a shortage of appropriate options. While these units are not designed for people with high needs who typically reside in encampments, they will help ease pressure on the shelter system by creating additional capacity without the need to add new shelter locations or beds.

    The next steps for this project are property renovations and community engagement. Renovations will begin in January 2026. Invitations to a near-neighbour meeting run by Ryandale have been delivered to houses within a 150-metre radius of 1056 Palmerston Cres. and shared on this Get Involved Kingston page. This community Outreach by the operator will allow those living closest to the property to ask questions, learn about residents and understand the kinds of care and tenancy that will happen at the site.

    Supportive housing plays a crucial role in the housing continuum, offering stable accommodations and essential support to individuals who fall between emergency shelter services and independently managed affordable housing. Kingston currently has more than 235 supportive housing units spread across 28 locations. Further information about supportive housing properties in Kingston can be found in Council Report 25-218 from Sept. 2, 2025.


    Subscribe for email updates from this page to stay informed.

    The Collins-Bayridge District Supportive Housing Project Team