Community Liaison Committee Meeting 1 Summary
315 Queen Mary Road Shared Care Model Community Liaison Committee Meeting Summary
October, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: 2-315 Queen Mary Road
Overview
At the first CLC meeting, Kingston Community Health Centres and Home Base Housing updated the committee on their primary care and transitional housing programming at 315 Queen Mary Road and responded to members’ questions about community outreach, program access, safety and volunteering. City staff spoke to plans for the vocational laundry program, health and wellness centre and community space in 2027, with commitments to share more details when available. Since the meeting, the vocational laundry has commenced operations and a report on the wellness centre went to Council.
The meeting notes below summarize key information and discussions.
Meeting Notes
On Thursday, Oct. 8, the City welcomed members to the first Community Liaison Committee (CLC) meeting for the 315 Queen Mary Road shared care model.
The committee is composed of twelve members, including representation from nearby neighbourhoods and buildings, the Cataraqui Conservation Authority, two representatives from Home Base Housing, a representative from Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), the local councillor and two City staff from Housing & Social Services. For the first meeting, the committee was also joined by City staff from facility management and construction services.
After an acknowledgement of territory and introductions, members heard program updates and had the opportunity for questions and discussion.
KCHC Updates
KCHC provided an update on the Midtown Kingston Health Home, which opened in summer 2026 and is working toward attaching 6,000 residents to primary care services. The program is provincially funded, and the centre space was co-designed with the City of Kingston and now offers family health care, screenings, vaccinations, counselling, food support, and community programs, with approximately 8,000 people expected to access services annually.
KCHC provided flyers outlining the programming offered at Midtown Kingston Health Home. The flyers are available below.
KCHC reported that the final physician will join the team in November 2026, with full patient onboarding expected by March 2027. The organization is focused on improving access for underserved populations and residents who remain on the Health Care Connect waitlist.
Key questions and feedback from members:
Members asked: what are the clinic’s communication methods?
Staff pointed to social media along with staff members who live in the community. They also identified the need to get information to neighbouring dwellings.
Members also asked if residents from the area were being connected to the primary care services.
KCHC provided information about connecting to primary care through Health Care Connect. Locally, everyone who joined Health Care Connect by January 2025 and remained on the list has been connected to primary care. Connection is based on equity and follows the provincial fairness-focused approach. Proximity is one consideration, along with pregnancy, francophone/language services among other factors.
Members emphasized the opportunity to connect people in the nearby community and expressed interest in supporting the sharing of information about services and programming.
Home Base Housing Updates
Home Base Housing introduced the Integrated Senior Support Program, the transitional housing pro that opened at 315 Queen Mary Road. The program provides individuals with housing, 24/7 staffing, health supports and personalized goals to help older adults stabilize and transition into permanent housing.
Residents receive coordinated care through partnerships with health-care providers, homecare, community paramedics, mental health services, physiotherapy, and other community supports. The program emphasizes individualized planning, life skills development, emotional well-being, and discharge planning from the first day of residency. Currently the program is serving 27 individuals, with occupancy increasing to 35 residents when construction is completed on final rooms.
Since move-ins began on August 28, the site has remained fully occupied and has experienced only two minor incidents that required emergency services, both managed appropriately by staff. One resident who had experienced homelessness for more than five years has already shown significant health stabilization and progress toward surgery and long-term housing goals.
Key questions and feedback from members:
Having experience with another transitional housing program and good working relationships with police. Members asked about coordination and relationships with Kingston Police.
Home Base Housing noted its good relationships with police and the close work it does with the Vulnerable Sector Unit. City staff also highlighted the importance of not presupposing police involvement, as transitional housing serves a range of populations. The transitional housing at Queen Mary Road is specifically for individuals aged 55 and older who may require additional support or mobility assistance.
Members asked how individuals are selected for the program and if there was a waitlist.
Staff explained that selection follows the Coordinated Access approach through the homelessness By-Name List. This process ensures fairness and matches individuals to compatible serviced. Home Base Housing meets individuals where they are to discuss the program and assess fit. If Queen Mary Road is not the right program, staff help connect individuals with other housing programs.
Members asked if there were opportunities to volunteer at the integrated senior support program.
Staff said they would take this back to the team to identify ways for community members to support. One community member is already working with them on music programming.
Members asked if there were incidents of trespassing from non-residents and how that would be addressed.
Staff explained that they have not had issues. Residents are allowed to have visitors. Everyone signs in to help ensure the safety of everyone in the building. If someone comes onto the premises, staff will address the situation. Residents also keep an eye on the property and want to ensure the safety of the space.
Members asked how many personal belongings residents could bring with them.
Staff explained that they assist incoming residents with selecting which items to bring. Each resident is permitted to bring a 115-litre tote. Residents can also personalize their rooms with art and other items. There is no shopping cart / exterior storage except for bicycle storage. Mobility devices are welcome within the building.
Members asked about the number of people on Kingston and Frontenac’s Homelessness By-Name List.
As of September 2026, there are 603 people on the By-Name List (BNL)known to be experiencing homelessness. Data on the BNL is available on open data Kingston: https://opendatakingston.cityofkingston.ca/datasets/homelessness-by-name-list/explore
Members also asked for the number of transitional housing programs in Kingston?
Staff shared that there are over 235 supportive housing units across 28 City funded sites. Additionally, the City funds broader housing and homelessness services including shelters, prevention diversion, and outreach. There are additional local supportive and transitional units that are funded independently. Members agreed there is a need for more connection and accessible information about available programs and community partners.
Members asked what would happen to an individual who is in the program for the maximum of 24 months.
Home Base Housing staff emphasized that the plan is not to move anyone back into homelessness. The program is designed to ensure residents are connected to permanent housing before reaching the maximum 24-month stay. Staff will ensure no one is left behind and that residents are connected to another space if necessary.
Members also asked if there is an expected average time in the program.
One individual has already found a permanent place and will be moving into it. Every individual will be unique, with their own goals and pathways. Housing goals are client-driven and identified early in the process.
Members asked if there are connections with external programming.
Staff shared that some residents have applied for assistance to join the local seniors’ centre. Home Base Housing has also provided transportation to appointments and essential programming. The Municipal Fee Assistance Program also provides a reduced transit pass.
Members noted the opportunity for community and programming to come to Queen Mary Road where residents are most comfortable. Future opportunities will be explored and shared back.
Lastly, members asked if residents would keep their spot in the program in the event of an emergency that relocated them to hospital.
Staff noted that they will hold a space for an individual who must leave the program temporarily because of a health issue. Timelines for keeping a spot in the program will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will involve open communication with health-care services.
City of Kingston Updates
The City provided updates on next steps for the site, including the vocational laundry programming moving to the space and the health and wellness centre approved by Council and expected to become active in 2027. Staff also confirmed the continued commitment to community programming and accessible community space while work continues to determine the final size, scope, and parking requirements.
The vocational laundry program operated by Lionhearts will support individuals with training and pay for their work. The program services linens from local housing and shelter providers.
Committee members expressed interest in ensuring adequate meeting and community space remains available within the building as plans for the wellness centre progress. City staff committed to bringing updates back to the CLC and using the committee as a key channel for sharing information with the broader community.
City staff will connect with relevant departments to share information on the timeline and size of the remaining programming spaces as it becomes available.
Key questions and feedback from members:
Members asked about the size of future community space.
City staff committed to bringing these questions back to relevant departments and sharing updates when information is available.
Members also expressed the desire for earlier involvement in decisions about the community space and wellness centre with the priority of an accessible space that can be used by the community.
Terms of Reference
Members were asked to review the terms of reference for discussion and adoption at the next meeting.
Key questions and feedback from members:
Members asked if confidential information shared could be communicated in other confidential (in camera) meetings of the organizations they are representing on the CLC.
Staff indicated that most information will be public. At times, the CLC may be asked to provided feedback on a report before it is made public. These processes will be taken back and discussed at the next CLC meeting where the Terms will be reviewed in depth.
Community Submissions
There were no submissions from the community to consider. 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 315 Queen Mary Road CLC.
Next Steps
The CLC will meet next in November 2026 to review new program updates, adopt the Terms of Reference and discuss anything brought forward by the community.
In Attendance
5 representatives from the surrounding neighbourhoods
1 representative from the Cataraqui Conservation Authority
2 representatives from Home Base Housing
1 representative from Kingston Community Health Centres
City Councillor Meadowbrook-Strathcona
Housing & Social Services Staff
Facilities Construction Management Staff
