The Gertrudes, continue to sing about ongoing emergencies in their hometown, including the current housing crisis, with their new music video, “Boys’ Town,” from the Kingston band's 2021 release Emergency To Emergency (Wolfe Island Records/Zunior). On their quest to shed light onto the urgent needs of Kingston and the surrounding area, The Gertrudes dedicate themselves and their music to community and charitable efforts. https://youtu.be/6MsNajkOyUQ “The Gertrudes' Boys’ Town music video reflects on the 1969 documentary Dear Landlord, Directed by Dennis Crossfield and featuring nationally renowned activist Joan Kuyek, who analyze Kingston’s housing crisis at that time. Unfortunately, not much has changed. Kingston’s housing continues to be in short supply — historically, the city has had some of the lowest vacancy rates in the province.” says Greg Tilson
Kingston’s housing continues to be in short supply — historically, the city has had some of the lowest vacancy rates in the province. ~ Greg Tilson, The Gertrudes
The Gertrudes “Boys’ Town” video was co-directed by The Gertrudes’ accordion player Josh Lyon and fellow Kingston filmmaker Leigh Ann Bellamy of CuriousYou Productions. The Gertrudes first wrote about Kingston's housing crisis with the song “Forced Eviction” (July 2020, Wolfe Island Records) in support of the temporary residents, who have since been evicted from the former Belle Park encampment in Kingston. The band has gone on to record the full length album Emergency To Emergency, that continues to raise awareness and support fundraising initiatives for charitable organizations addressing current and ongoing emergencies like Kingston's Street Health Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association. https://youtu.be/OBovNhhZIEo Kingston remains on the list of one of the lowest vacancy rates in the province, and that housing shortage has a big impact on people’s lives in different ways. The city is home to rising numbers of homeless or precariously housed individuals. If you are experiencing homelessness or precarious housing, or you know someone in housing crisis, please check out this list of Kingston, Ontario resources. Emergency shelters: Kingston Home Base Housing's Street Outreach Team regularly checks on known individuals experiencing homelessness. If anyone is concerned about a person in need of help, one of the following numbers will alert their Street Outreach Team:
  • 613-561-5839
  • 613-453-7724
  • 613-561-4618
To get in to social housing you submit an application form to the Social Registry program weekdays in Kingston at Housing and Social Services, 362 Montreal St., 613-546-2695, ext. 4764 The Registry manages applications for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) assistance for the 17 housing providers participating in the centralized waiting list. Posted: May 3, 2023 Originally Published: Feb 2, 2022