Not much noise being made after Sydenham Rd shelter opened its doors

The transitional shelter will house 30 people and offers services to help them break the cycle of homelessness.

The controversial new transitional shelter on 928 Sydenham Rd in Kingston has quietly opened.

It is being operated by Doors of Compassion, an organization based out of Whitby where they oversee transitional shelters there.

The 30-bed shelter started taking in people in mid-February and is currently at full capacity according to Strategic Communications & Development Officer Caitlin Rae.

Days before the shelter opened its doors, they offered residents living nearby a guided tour of the facilities.

Rae says the guests seemed satisfied with what they saw.

When the idea of putting a transitional shelter on Sydenham Rd last year, many residents were worried about how it will impact their neighbourhoods and the nearby Cataraqui Cemetery.

Rae says each individual who uses the shelter has to follow strict rules such as no alcohol or drugs.

In addition to beds, the shelter will also provide services for those who need to get back on their feet.

One of the stipulations in approving the site for the shelter is that city staff deliver a report to council no later than six months after it opens.

Rae says they are cooperating with the City to make sure everything is working according to plan.

The City purchased the property last May for $2.45 million plus $65,000 in closing costs.

Story by Ken Hashizume