$40K to help make Better homes? | Inside Kingston Aug. 8, 2025

In today's episode of Inside Kingston, we talk about Better Homes Kingston, a change to the Illumination Policy, a preview of the upcoming council meeting, a reminder about Giveaway Day and the annual Kingston Sheep Dog Trials Festival. 

You can learn more about everything mentioned in this week's episode here: 
✨Better Homes Kingston - https://getinvolved.cityofkingston.ca/better-homes-kingston-program-relaunch 
✨Illumination Policy - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/news/posts/changes-coming-in-2026-for-requests-to-light-up-city-hall/ 
✨Giveaway Day - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/garbage-and-recycling/collection-calendar/ 
✨Sheep Dog Trials Festival - https://www.cityofkingston.ca/arts-culture-and-events/city-calendar-and-events/feature-events/sheep-dog-trials-festival/

Episode Transcript

(00:05):
Welcome to Inside Kingston, your
go to source for quick,reliable municipal information.
A program that assists in making your homemore climate friendly is coming back.
When it launched in 2022, the Better HomesKingston program offered up to $40,000
in loans and incentives to help homeownersreduce greenhouse gas emissions

(00:27):
through such measures as energyefficient windows and heat pumps.
Now, the city is seekinginput from residents and contractors
ahead of a relaunch in 2026.
Please complete a survey onGet Involved Kingston before August 14th.
Have you ever noticed Kingston City Hallglowing and different colors at night?
Well, it's more than just beautifullighting.

(00:49):
It's one way community members can markimportant celebrations and commemorations,
and in doing so, fosterbelonging and raise
awareness of historyas part of the city's illumination policy.
Recently,City Council updated the policy, and staff
have since reducedthe number of illuminations
to ensure the significance of each oneis emphasized.

(01:12):
Read more about the policyand how to apply.
At CityofKingston.ca.
A couple of motions to look for at theupcoming meeting of Kingston City Council.
One talks about a community heat response plandesigned to address
extreme heat related issues,particularly in vulnerable populations.
Also, a motion about implementinga number of safety measures on a section

(01:35):
of highway two east, where the road runsacross a provincially significant wetland.
Home to turtles and other wildlifespecies.
Lots more on the agenda.
Watch council meetings live at City Hallor check CityofKingston.ca.
For a link to see them online.
An exciting community event is once againjust around the corner.

(01:57):
Giveaway Day Saturday, August 16th.
The time to put out reusable items thatyou may not want, but your neighbors will.
Taking home free second hand itemsmeans you're saving them from landfill.
Brush up on the guidelinesfor giveaway day at CityofKingston.ca/Collection
And for our final look inside Kingston,

(02:17):
a group of very talented performersroll into town.
August 8th to the 10th.
It's the annual KingstonSheepdog Trials at Grass Creek Park,
with border collies competing to herdsheep through obstacle courses.
Really quite an extraordinary sightand lots of other related activities.
Pet friendly fun for the whole family.

(02:38):
More information on the city's website.
Help build your community inside Kingstonby liking
and sharing this episodewe post every Friday.
See you next week!