Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Kingston has released a public engagement report created as part of the plan’s development by Beam Group, which was hired by the city to craft the long-term strategy. Over 700 individuals shared their thoughts.
This plan aims to create a guide for enhancing access to safe, stable, and affordable housing while working to prevent and reduce homelessness throughout Kingston and Frontenac County.
Engagement activities took place from March to May 2026 through both virtual and in-person events, such as a webinar, open houses, surveys, and focus groups.
Participants included local residents, housing providers, support service organizations, elected officials, municipal staff, and those with firsthand experience of homelessness and housing insecurity.
Feedback highlighted several main priorities for the plan: increasing the supply of housing-especially supportive and affordable options-and expanding wraparound services for residents.
Homelessness prevention and housing stabilization were also identified as key focuses. Participants urged for tailored solutions based on specific cases, stronger evaluation processes, evidence-based decisions, along with more advocacy and community involvement.
“The public engagement summary helps inform the development of the 10-year Plan by incorporating the priorities and experiences of our community,” said Kelly Black, manager of affordable housing at the City of Kingston. “This input helps ensure the updated plan reflects evolving community needs while aligning with current provincial priorities.”
The report outlines findings from this engagement process, including detailed results from public surveys and insights gathered during open houses in an appendix.
This plan will cover all aspects of housing-from preventing homelessness to achieving home ownership.
It’s required under Ontario law and will be revisited every five years.
The feedback collected will be combined with further research to pinpoint priorities, challenges, and opportunities that will influence the final plan.
Any feedback that falls outside this 10-year plan scope will still be considered when developing other relevant initiatives.
Beam Group along with city staff continue working on this plan which will direct future decisions about managing housing and homelessness services.
A draft version is expected to be presented to the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee in September before it goes before Kingston City Council for review.
Read the full report: getinvolved. cityofkingston. ca/10-year-housing-homelessness-plan-review
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