A rent paying resident of Kingston Pen? It could happen

Historic prison added to Fed's housing database, could be developed if the price is right

Kingston Penitentiary added to federal housing list, but the mayor isn’t happy

The federal government has added Kingston Penitentiary to its housing database, but Mayor Bryan Paterson is not a fan of the idea. 

On Thursday, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) announced six new properties on its list of unused federal land that could be used for housing. 

The database launched in August 2024 to help address Canada’s housing crisis.

Kingston Penitentiary, which closed in 2012, has since been a major tourism draw, hosting tours, events, and film productions. Paterson says he wants the site to remain a historic attraction and opposes its potential redevelopment.

PSPC Minister Jean-Yves Duclos also announced five other properties, all outside Ontario. The government says the properties could create around 1,770 housing units, though it’s unclear if that number applies to each site or all combined.

Whether anyone will jump at the opportunity to develop the historic site remains to be seen.