The Gertrudes: Boys' Town

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:
Adults, ages 25+: In From the Cold - 613-531-3779
Youth, ages 16-24: Kingston Youth Shelter - 613-549-4236
Parents with dependent children up to age 16: Lily's Place - 613-767-6180
Women and children fleeing domestic violence: Interval House* - 613-546-1833

• 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: www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/community-services/housing/social/forms

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.


VIDEO CREDITS:
“Boys’ Town”

Composed by Greg Tilson
Produced by The Gertrudes and Jason Mercer
Horn and string arrangements by Jason Mercer
Mixed by Jason Mercer at Neptune’s Machine on Wolfe Island
Mastered by Phillip Shaw Bova

“Dear Landlord” (1969) film footage courtesy of director Dennis Crossfield (Kingston, ON 2021)

Music video co-directed by Josh Lyon and Leigh Ann Bellamy
Edited by Leigh Ann Bellamy
Mixed by Matt Rogalsky/Memory Device

Many thanks to Joan Kuyek (1969 film footage in her role with ATAK)
And Arden Rogalsky (2021 film footage in his role as one of The Gertrudes’ drummers).