Kingston Achieves National Milestones in Homelessness Response

Kingston, On (May 7, 2026) The City of Kingston and United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) are pleased to announce that Kingston has now achieved two significant national milestones that reflect the strength and collaboration of its homelessness response system.

On April 22, 2026, the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness officially recognized the City of Kingston as being the 21st community in Canada to confirm Quality By-Name data 4.0 for chronic and all homelessness with the City’s Homelessness Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS). In addition to the recognition, the community has successfully met all Reaching Home minimum requirements for Coordinated Access ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline.

Having quality by-name data means the City of Kingston maintains a real-time, accurate, and comprehensive list of those experiencing homelessness, with enough specific details to facilitate movement through the housing continuum and support connections to services. This quality data also allows the City to have a systematic and personal understanding of inflow/outflow of homelessness and measure individual progress while providing information that can be actionable for individuals as well as system planning. 

Coordinated Access is a system designed to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are assessed, prioritized, and connected to housing and supports in a fair, consistent and efficient way. This work includes the use of a HIFIS, as well as the ongoing implementation, maintenance and improvement of the Coordinated Access system using an outcomes-based approach.

The City of Kingston, as homelessness system Service Manager and the HIFIS and Coordinated Access lead, works in close partnership with the United Way KFL&A, the Community Entity for Reaching Home, and alongside a network of frontline service providers.

“Reaching these milestones is a testament to what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to improving our local system,” said John DiPaolo, President and CEO, United Way KFL&A. “By strengthening Coordinated Access and ensuring we have high-quality, real-time data, we are better equipped to connect people to housing and supports when they need them most.”

These accomplishments are grounded in the ongoing efforts of frontline agencies and service providers across Kingston. Their consistent use of HIFIS, and their commitment to providing timely, accurate, and up-to-date information and reporting, are essential to the success of both Coordinated Access and By-Name Data. This shared accountability ensures that the system functions effectively and that individuals are connected to the right support at the right time.

“These achievements reflect years of dedication from frontline service providers and community partners,” said Jayne Hartley, Director of Housing & Social Services, City of Kingston. “The quality of our data and the strength of our coordinated system allow us to respond more effectively, identify gaps, and continue improving how we support people experiencing homelessness.”

United Way KFL&A and the City of Kingston extend sincere appreciation to all partner agencies and frontline staff for their leadership, collaboration, and commitment to continuous improvement. Their work is the foundation of a stronger, more responsive homelessness system in Kingston.