An Epidemic Within a Pandemic: Combatting Kingston Homelessness
Isabella Miller, Investigative Journalist
March 16, 2022
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Kingston experienced an epidemic that has been widely ignored: the lack of resources available for the growing homeless population. Members of the community are often aware of the impact that homelessness has brought to the downtown core, but often disregard the daily struggles that individuals experiencing homelessness face. Shelters are available, but only for short-term stays, and with sub-zero temperatures for months on end, there is an obvious need for a new solution. Recently, temporary individual shelters have been created in Portsmouth Olympic Harbor, which if successful, could provide the very solution that Kingston needs to combat housing insecurity.
Implementing shelters such as these brings forth clear inadequacies in Kingston’s response to the number of people experiencing homelessness. At the height of COVID-19 in 2020, the City of Kingston designated Belle Park to be used as an outdoor space where encampment bylaws were not to be enforced. This was due to the mandatory 14-day isolation period necessary if an individual wanted to stay overnight in a shelter, and the limited spaces available in shelters to respect social distancing regulations. As an alternative, Belle Park served as a space where tents were able to become more permanent homes. Roughly 25 individuals inhabited Belle Park from May to September, after which Bylaw eviction policies were enforced. Many of the people who resided in the Belle Park encampment were left without a reliable option for housing and forced back onto the streets of Kingston.
The removal of encampments at Belle Park caused many to question why this could not be a permanent solution for the homeless community in Kingston. It is extremely difficult to get reliable permanent housing in Kingston due to the high demand for housing in the downtown core, and high rental prices. Currently, the average rent for a single-bedroom apartment in Kingston costs $1,499 monthly.
There is also a stigma surrounding individuals experiencing homelessness and their possible use of illicit substances, which can influence policies responding to homelessness as well as public opinion. This influence is not arbitrary, and unfortunately carries some weight as roughly 45% of homeless individuals in Kingston report having substance abuse issues. The city has made progressive steps through a program called Street Outreach. Street Outreach will respond to calls about encampments before Kingston Bylaw or police services are notified. Street Outreach will then assess the individual’s needs and can offer spaces in shelters, counselling, or other resources instead of penalizing someone for sleeping outdoors.
Seeing the need for a permanent solution that benefits the community while providing adequate shelter, Our Livable Solutions stepped up to the challenge. Our Livable Solutions is a grassroots NGO formed by Chrystal Wilson, who is devoted to ending homelessness. This organization stands out among others with similar purposes as they consult with individuals who have or are currently experiencing homelessness to create solutions that are effective for them and the broader community. In Kingston, they have fostered a supportive community focused on escaping homelessness through their sustainable living cabins. Located in Portsmouth’s Olympic Harbour, Our Livable Solutions has built 10 separate insulated cabins and a communal living space where residents have access to a kitchen, washrooms, and laundry services.
Each cabin costs only $16,000 to build, is furnished with donations, and requires minimal upkeep. Currently, a pilot project is being conducted where 6 individuals who were previously experiencing homelessness were selected to live in these cabins from January 17th – April 30th this year. If successful, the City of Kingston is prepared to work with Our Livable Solutions to expand the community.
Chrystal Wilson, the Executive Director of Our Livable Solutions, answered some questions about the pilot project at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. She explained that after the project ends on April 30th, the next step is to secure a permanent location for tenants. This project was created in the hope of continuing to build and expand a community to help more people who do not thrive in traditional shelter settings. Many individuals cited lack of autonomy and crowded settings as reasons to which they often are deterred from traditional shelters offered by the city of Kingston.
The community of sleep cabins offers a sense of individualism that can be taken away in the shelter system and provides a long-term transitory residence before tenants secure permanent residence. This style of shelter allows for people experiencing homelessness to maintain their autonomy and dignity while also providing a stable address and a guaranteed place to sleep.
Homelessness is an experience shared by many, but with community support, Our Livable Solutions can make a positive impact in the lives of those living without stable housing. Our Livable Solutions has created a cost-effective, easy-to-implement solution to address the need for short and long-term housing in Kingston. Their cabins are accessible to all, and they provide support for those dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues, while also helping people obtain steady work and permanent housing. Our Livable Solution’s cabins provide the most realistic and sustainable option for combatting homelessness in Kingston.
On the individual level, there are actions any community member can take to help those experiencing homelessness. Many organizations in Kingston are focused on combating homelessness, such as the Kingston Youth Shelter, Home Base, or Kingston Interval House. By contacting these services, individuals can become informed on which resources are most needed, whether it be donations or volunteer support. Taking a few minutes of your day to create a meaningful human connection can make a huge positive impact. Chrystal says, “Kind words and genuine time go a long way in the unhoused community, please be generous with both.”