City of Kingston celebrates the opening of the 315 Queen Mary Road shared care model

The City of Kingston, Home Base Housing and Kingston Community Health Centres hosted Open Houses for the shared care model now operating at 315 Queen Mary Road. Project team members, community partners, Community Liaison Committee members and media were in attendance 

The shared care model brings together primary health care, transitional housing and community-based programming focused on addressing the social determinants of health.    

In 2024, the City of Kingston purchased the former Extendicare building (now 315 Queen Mary Road) to develop this innovative model that brings together key service and increases transitional housing supply with a focus on responding to the growing housing and healthcare needs of the community. 

Mayor Paterson shares “Today is an important milestone for Kingston and, more importantly, for the people who will benefit from this innovative approach to housing, health care and community support. By bringing these services together under one roof, we are breaking down barriers and creating a stronger pathway from homelessness to stability. Seeing the first 26 people welcomed into transitional housing and all the other services that will be available in this building, is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when our community works together.”

The housing program, operated by Home Base Housing, will provide transitional housing for individuals aged 55+ with varying levels of health care needs, supported 24/7 by on-site staff and a goal-based case management approach.  

“Today marks more than the opening of a new space—it marks the beginning of a stronger, more connected approach to supporting our community.” says Torrie Hawley, Program Manager at Home Base Housing.  

“Through our partnership with the City of Kingston, Midtown Medical Clinic and Lionhearts, we are bringing housing, healthcare, food security, community programing and supports together to create a more holistic approach to helping people move forward.  

We are especially proud that this work is already making an impact. Between August 26th and today, our housing program has accepted and welcomed its first clients into transitional housing, moving 26 individuals out of homelessness and into a safe place to begin their next chapter—20 people have entered housing from shelter, four from hospitals, and two from local campsites.” 

Hawley adds “Home Base will continue to support up to 35 seniors with complex medical needs as they navigate the housing system and work toward stable, permanent housing that is appropriate for their medical and cognitive abilities. 

We know that housing is about more than four walls. It is about safety, dignity, stability, health and connection. By bringing these services together and working collaboratively, we are creating a community where people are supported not just in finding housing, but in finding a place they can truly call home.” 

The Midtown Kingston Health Home, operated by Kingston Community Health Centre, provides primary health care services on site for residents and the broader community.

“This new location is an important access point for our community. Not only will we be providing primary care to more than 8,000 people, but our groups and community development programs will be open to everyone,” explains KCHC's Director of Clinical Services, Meghan O'Leary. 

"We have a strong, existing partnership with Home Base Housing and have seen first-hand the value of primary care being offered in a location where people already gather and participate in social programming, which often reduces barriers to accessing healthcare," O'Leary adds. “Without a doubt, being co-located with supportive housing will ensure the people living there are connected to team-based primary care and have access to our social programs and supports” 

The community space will also include a Lionhearts vocational laundry program, expected to launch in October 2026, with additional programming to begin early 2027. 

Following Council's approval on July 7, a new wellness and health centre will also be added, offering services including respiratory, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy. 

The City has formed a Community Liaison Committee which will meet regularly to support the integration of these services and ensure coordination with all partners and connection to the surrounding community.