Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Kingston has published a public engagement report prepared as part of the plan’s development by Beam Group, which was engaged by the city to develop the long-term strategy. More than 700 people provided input.
The plan will provide a roadmap for improving access to safe, stable and affordable housing and preventing and reducing homelessness across Kingston and Frontenac County.
Engagement was conducted between March and May 2026 through virtual and in-person activities, including a webinar, open houses, surveys and focus groups.
Participants included residents, housing providers, support service providers, elected officials, municipal staff and people with lived experience of homelessness and housing insecurity.
Feedback identified several key priorities for the plan, including increasing housing supply, particularly supportive and affordable housing, and expanding wraparound supports for residents.
Participants also identified homelessness prevention and housing stabilization as priorities, while calling for case-specific solutions, stronger evaluation and evidence-based decision-making, and increased advocacy and public engagement.
“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 summarizes findings from the engagement process, with detailed public survey results and open house findings included in an appendix.
The plan will address the full housing continuum, from homelessness prevention through to home ownership.
It is required under Ontario legislation and will be updated after five years.
The engagement feedback will be combined with additional research to identify the priorities, challenges and opportunities that will shape the final plan.
Feedback that falls outside the scope of the 10-year plan will also be considered in the development of other relevant initiatives.
Beam Group and city staff are continuing work on the plan, which will guide future housing and homelessness service management decisions.
Staff are expected to present a draft of the plan to the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee in September before it goes to Kingston City Council for consideration.
Read the full report: getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca/10-year-housing-homelessness-plan-review
