Downtown Kingston BIA Responds to Incident Involving a Business Owner and an Individual Experiencing Homelessness

December 3, 2025 - For Immediate Release – Kingston, Ontario

A video involving a local business owner and a person experiencing homelessness has circulated widely on social media in recent days, leading to understandable concern. Police have since spoken directly with the individual involved, who indicated that the incident was a misunderstanding. Beyond this confirmation, we believe it is important not to speculate or draw conclusions based on assumptions or incomplete information.

A brief video clip rarely captures the full context of a complex situation. The individual in the video has been staying near a shared entrance to residential units for some time, and local outreach teams engage with them regularly to offer assistance and support.

Each day, the nearby business owner cleans the shared entrance area and surrounding sidewalk as part of a routine to keep the space safe and sanitary. This includes removing debris such as food waste, bird droppings, urine, and feces, and then rinsing the ground with a bucket of water.

When the individual is present, the business owner typically asks if they can clean around them. Some days the individual moves willingly; other days they prefer not to. The business owner has sought guidance from outreach teams on how to navigate these situations respectfully and safely.

This incident has sparked important conversations about homelessness, safety, and the pressures faced by both vulnerable residents and small businesses. These challenges are part of a broader system under strain and cannot be solved by any one business, organization, or individual. Long-term solutions require coordinated action, more supportive housing, more mental health and addiction services, and regional collaboration.

Our community remains committed to supporting vulnerable individuals with dignity, supporting business owners who are navigating increasingly complex street-level realities, and encouraging responsible communication that helps us respond constructively. The Welcoming Streets Initiative was created for this purpose, to support the vulnerable in our community, while offering support and guidance to business owners when they find themselves in challenging situations involving mental health, addictions and homelessness. The Welcoming Streets outreach team is in close contact with partner organizations who provide daily outreach and assistance downtown.

We ask the public to approach this situation with empathy, not judgment. Homelessness and social vulnerability are shared community challenges — and they require shared community solutions.