Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government and the City of Kingston have announced $7.2 million to build thirty new homes across three projects in the city. The announcement took place at 111 MacCauley Street, where Habitat for Humanity Kingston Limestone Region has completed eight new homes, including two that are accessible.
Eight tiny homes will provide deeply affordable rental options for individuals facing homelessness or those at risk of losing their housing. Each is a fully self-contained unit with its own washroom, kitchen, and living and sleeping areas.
The project also provided a unique educational opportunity: they were built by students from Ernestown Secondary School through the Limestone District School Board’s Building Construction Internship Program (BCIP).
“The BCIP students worked hard every day, learning valuable skills while contributing to a project that will have a lasting impact on our community,” said Gary Lees, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Kingston. “Their dedication was key to making this project a reality.”
“The Tiny Home Project at Shannon Park is a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders, including the City of Kingston, the Government of Canada (CMHC), the Limestone School Board BCIP program, and Habitat Kingston.
The second project, at 206 Concession Street, will create transitional housing with eighteen bedrooms, each featuring a private bathroom, along with communal kitchen, dining, and lounge areas. This initiative will be managed by Addictions and Mental Health Services – Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. Construction is currently underway, with completion expected in late 2024.
The third project is located at 255 Yonge Street, municipally owned land that will be used for a four-unit development led by Tipi Moza, an Indigenous housing provider. This initiative aims to support Indigenous households, particularly women and their children, and is projected to be completed by winter 2025.
“Today’s announcement reflects our city’s commitment to addressing the housing needs of the community. With the support of our federal partners, these housing projects will provide more than just shelter—they will offer safety, stability, and a sense of community to those in need,” said Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson. “As a city, we are proud to work alongside organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Addictions and Mental Health Services, and Tipi Moza to create housing that strengthens our community and gives hope for a brighter future.”
Funding details include:
- 111 MacCauley Street: Over $480,000 from the federal Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI3), more than $260,000 plus land from the City, and over $350,000 from Habitat for Humanity.
- 206 Concession Street: Over $4.6 million from the federal RHI3.
- 255 Yonge Street: Over $1.5 million from the federal RHI3.
Also, the city will provide ongoing operational funding to support services at the MacCauley and Yonge Street projects.