Federal government invests $1.9 million to tackle veteran homelessness in Kingston

Kingston’s Homes for Heroes veterans village will receive the funding to support housing and wraparound services for local veterans.

$1.9 million federal investment supports transitional housing, mental health services, and job training for Kingston veterans through Homes for Heroes village
 
Kingston’s Homes for Heroes veterans village will receive $1.9 million in federal funding to support housing and wraparound services for local veterans. The announcement, made on August 20, 2025, is part of the national Veterans Homelessness Program, which includes a $72-million commitment to help homeless veterans across Canada.
 
Member of Parliament Mark Gerretsen highlighted the impact of the funding: “This funding represents an ongoing commitment to the well-being of Veterans in Kingston. Through a $1.9 million investment, we are ensuring that those who served our country have access to safe, affordable housing and the wraparound supports they need to rebuild their lives. The Veterans’ Village offers more than just shelter – it provides a community of peers, mental health services, job training, and counselling – a holistic approach that helps Veterans regain stability and independence in order to move forward to permanent housing.”
 
Gerretsen also addressed how the government is supporting long-term housing: “The Veterans’ Village is designed as a transitional community, helping residents move toward long-term independence. Through the Veteran Homeless Program, the government is not only funding immediate housing but also supporting services that prepare Veterans for reintegration into the broader housing market. The federal government’s National Housing Strategy and initiatives like Reaching Home are working in tandem to expand affordable housing options in Kingston and across Canada.”
 
On Kingston’s role in the national strategy, Gerretsen said: “Kingston’s Veterans’ Village is a vital part of the national effort to end Veteran homelessness. It’s one of several projects that receives funding from the Veterans Homelessness Program, which is backed by over $79 million and includes both direct support services and capacity-building initiatives. This program is embedded with the broader National Housing Strategy, a $115-billion plan to reduce chronic homelessness by 50% by 2027-28. By supporting local solutions and partnerships with organizations like the Homes for Heroes Foundation, the government is building a network of care and housing across the country to ensure no Veteran is left behind.”
 
Homes for Heroes provides transitional housing with small homes, community kitchens, computer stations, and indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. Programming focuses on mental health support, job preparation, financial literacy, and social connection. Kingston’s village joins locations in Calgary and Edmonton, with new sites under construction in Winnipeg and London.
 
The $1.9 million investment will support operations and programming for the next four years, helping veterans access the comprehensive services needed to regain stability and independence while contributing to the national effort to end veteran homelessness.
 
Story by Alyssa Brush