The City of Kingston has published a summary of public feedback that will shape its updated 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan. More than 700 residents, housing providers, support workers, and people with lived experience shared their priorities this spring through webinars, open houses, surveys, and focus groups.
City staff will present a draft plan to the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee in September 2026. After that review, the plan will go to Kingston City Council for final approval.
The engagement summary highlights several key themes. Residents called for more housing supply, especially supportive and affordable options. They also stressed the importance of wraparound supports, stronger homelessness prevention, and solutions tailored to individual needs.
This update is required by Ontario law. Every municipality must maintain a 10-year housing and homelessness plan and review it every five years. Kingston last updated its plan in 2019. The current plan covers the full housing continuum, from homelessness prevention to home ownership.
The need for action is urgent. As of March 2026, there were 572 people on the By-Name List experiencing homelessness in Kingston and Frontenac County. About 1,500 households are on the social housing waitlist in the service area.
The full engagement summary is available online for residents who want to see what was heard before the draft plan goes to committee.
