Dr. Kim Bergeron is an Associate Professor at the Queen’s University School of Rehabilitation Therapy.
I am excited to collaborate with Kingston Cohousing members to create a ‘living lab’, exploring the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned when implementing a cohousing development design in Ontario. This means working together to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions and practices to increase the capacity of Kingston Cohousing members and others, such as government decision-makers and private developers, related to a cohousing development approach. This will be done by engaging in community-based participatory action research.
https://rehab.queensu.ca/kim-bergeron
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Cohousing design is distinct from the design for other forms of housing. Since the inception of Kingston Cohousing in 2022, Rosaline Hill, of RJH Architecture and Planning, has been our key technical advisor. Rosaline and her team, based in Ottawa, are among the few architectural firms with the experience and skills to design specifically for cohousing communities. Their enthusiasm and vision have moved our group from an idea to a clear path forward. We are so grateful to the RJH Architecture + Planning team for their confidence in and financial support for our project. Although we are a small group with a small budget, the level of service they provide us is top tier, and a testament to the confidence they have in our success.
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The Social Planning Council of Kingston & District (SPC) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization and registered charity, operating in Kingston since 1930.
Throughout its history, the SPC has been concerned with the state of social service needs and the well-being of residents in Kingston and surrounding counties. The SPC mandate is to provide leadership to identify unmet social needs in the community, to suggest/offer resources to understand these needs, and to empower others to work collaboratively with SPC to seek solutions. The SPC seeks to facilitate, co-ordinate, and advocate for positive change, while bridging the worlds of community members, academic researchers, government policy makers and front-line program operators across all sectors. Its mission is to bring people together to create solutions for social challenges, and to incubate organizations that have a strong social purpose.
SPC and Kingston Cohousing are allied in their efforts to increase the range of affordable housing locally and are partnering on a number of fronts.
https://www.spckingstonanddistrict.org/
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Abbeyfield Houses exist to enable seniors to stay in their communities in safe, affordable, family-style shared housing. The houses are designed to foster companionship and ward off social isolation. Each Abbeyfield House balances residents’ privacy and companionship with security and independence in a caring group home environment, provided by dedicated volunteers and a live-in House Coordinator.
Abbeyfield is non-denominational and open to any senior capable of independent living. Each Abbeyfield House is an incorporated not-for-profit entity overseen by an experienced volunteer board of directors. All Houses are affiliated with Abbeyfield Canada and are bound by its policies and guidelines. Abbeyfield Canada also provides resources and expertise.
Abbeyfield Canada and Kingston Cohousing are currently exploring possibilities for a partnership project at the Providence Village site.
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Amisto Cohousing specializes in identifying ideal locations for cohousing and bringing together like-minded individuals to partner in creating thriving communities. Yonas Jongkind of Amisto has been an invaluable guide, helping us to find and assess Ontario consultants for feasibility and financial scoping work.
https://amisto.thoughtstorm.biz/about-us
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We have engaged WSP Engineering to undertake pre-development work at the Providence Village site, to assess site servicing and traffic flow options.
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2B provides public, private, and institutional organizations with project management and development consulting services with the objective of creating more affordable, inclusive, and appropriate housing. Established in 2018, our team is led by Lindsay Blair, who has over 17 years of experience progressing projects through each phase from vision to reality. Our team of project managers and coordinators has extensive experience and expert knowledge in housing development, finance, economics, planning, and community engagement. Most importantly, our multidisciplinary team is passionate about one primary objective: building more adequate housing for communities across Canada.
Since its inception, 2B has provided services to several organizations, municipalities, and housing organizations. Our track record in delivering services to clients similar to Kingston Cohousing includes Linden Co-op, Kawartha Commons Co-op, Unity Housing Corporation, Columbia Valley Housing Society, and Hornepayne Housing Corporation. https://www.2bdevelopments.ca/
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Our Digital Presence
This website was created by Evan Welchner. In addition to being a skilled computer programmer, game and website developer, Evan is a photographer, actor, dancer and musician.
Rose Strohmaier updates the website; Jude Wright updates our Facebook pages.