Council backs supportive housing despite neighbourhood pushback

Palmerston Crescent project for formerly homeless residents approved after long debate.

Supportive housing dominated last night’s city council meeting, with hours of debate ending in a decisive vote that allows a proposed project in the Woodbine Park area to move ahead.

Council considered a motion calling on the city to sell a house it previously purchased at 1056 Palmerston Crescent. The property is slated to be converted into supportive housing for up to eight individuals who have experienced homelessness.

Residents from the surrounding neighbourhood raised concerns during the meeting, pointing to what they described as limited consultation before the project was announced. Other issues included public safety, the home’s proximity to a nearby school and whether supportive housing is appropriate in a suburban neighbourhood.

Throughout the debate, most councillors stressed that supportive housing is not the same as emergency shelters, encampments or traditional homeless shelters. Several noted that Kingston currently operates 28 supportive housing sites across the city, adding that there have been no public safety complaints linked to those locations.

Council ultimately voted 12–1 against the motion, allowing the supportive housing plan to proceed as proposed.

At the same time, a number of councillors acknowledged frustration from residents over how the project was communicated. Council is expected to consider a motion at its next meeting directing staff to develop a clearer and more standardized process for community notification and consultation when new supportive or transitional housing projects are planned.

Story by Alyssa Brush