About LCCH

Limestone City Co-operative Housing Inc. (LCCH) is a non-profit, non-share housing co-operative building secure, green, inclusive communities sustainably nourished by urban farming. We exist to address the growing need for affordable housing in Kingston while tackling interconnected crises in housing, food security, climate, and community well-being.

Our first project at 900 Division Street will house 248 households and integrate a large-scale vertical farm, green technology, and biophilic design into a resilient, community-first model of living. Members will co-own and self-govern the co-op, sharing responsibility, resources, and decision-making.

Vision

Building secure, green, inclusive, co-operative housing communities sustainably nourished by urban farming.

Mission

LCCH builds and operates co-operative housing that is affordable/attainable and environmentally sustainable. Our unique buildings address food and housing insecurity by integrating eco-friendly vertical farming and low-emission, green designs in community-based models of living.

Big Hairy Audacious Goal

By the end of 2028, we will complete Canada’s first affordable, non-profit, co-operative housing community with integrated vertical farming—net-zero in energy use, low in greenhouse gas emissions, and designed for a 200-year lifespan.

Philosophical Principles

Residents gathering in a shared common area

Community and Belonging

We design our spaces to spark connection and build trust. Shared kitchens, gardens, and gathering areas create natural opportunities to meet, collaborate, and celebrate together. By working side-by-side on common causes—like growing nutritious food and caring for our environment—we strengthen the bonds that make neighbours feel like family. At LCCH, belonging means more than living in the same building; it means feeling truly at home in a community that knows, values, and supports you.

Members collaborating in a community food production space

Common Cause and Food Production

We make food production a shared purpose, weaving agriculture directly into our co-op life. From planning crops to tending soil, harvesting seeds, and sharing the harvest, every step is part of our collective effort toward near self-sufficiency. Working together in this way nurtures more than plants—it builds community, strengthens mental well-being, and ensures members have consistent access to fresh, nutritious food. At LCCH, growing food means growing health, resilience, and connection.

Interior with wood, plants, and natural light

Biophilia and Connection to Nature

Our design brings the outdoors in, recognizing that a deep connection to nature is essential for human well-being. Every aspect of the building—from materials to layout—will maximize natural light, fresh air, and views of greenery. We’ll use sustainable, tactile elements like wood, stone, and living plants to create spaces that feel warm, grounding, and alive. Terraces and rooftop gardens will provide opportunities to grow food, relax in the sun, and watch the seasons change. By surrounding ourselves with nature’s patterns, colours, and textures, we cultivate a calm, cooperative atmosphere where residents feel both rooted and inspired.

Practical Principles

Forever Building

We are designing for the long view—an aspirational 200-year operational life. This means building with permanence in mind, using durable materials, timeless design, and systems that are easy to maintain or upgrade over generations. Every decision, from foundation to finish, considers the full life cycle of the structure, ensuring that our co-op remains strong, beautiful, and functional for centuries to come.

Aesthetic Appeal

We envision a building that stops people in their tracks—a place that invites a second look, draws people in, and makes them imagine living there. Its design will convey safety, comfort, and vitality while also inspiring curiosity and joy. More than just visually appealing, it will feel like a true home: reassuring in its presence, welcoming in its spaces, and alive with the character of the community inside.

Jane Jacobs’ Philosophy

We embrace Jane Jacobs’ vision of the “ballet of the good city sidewalk”—a lively, safe, and social public realm. Along our building’s edges, we’ll create spaces that invite interaction and activity: benches for resting and talking, trellises that add beauty and shade, and clear, welcoming connections between the building and the street. These elements will turn the surrounding sidewalks into vibrant community spaces, where daily life unfolds in a way that strengthens safety, neighbourliness, and the sense of belonging.

Vertical farm racks producing leafy greens

Volunteer-Centric Approach

As a co-operative, we draw strength from the skills, time, and dedication of our members. Our indoor farm will be intentionally designed to be more hands-on and less dependent on complex, high-tech systems. This approach reduces costs, builds shared knowledge, and gives members a sense of ownership in the daily life of the community. Features will be chosen for their practicality, durability, and ease of maintenance by volunteers—whether that means tending crops, making simple repairs, or adapting spaces as needs evolve. In this way, the farm becomes more than a source of fresh food; it’s a living classroom, a gathering place, and a shared responsibility that keeps our community connected and resilient.

Panoramic rendering of the LCCH building and landscape

The Link between Land Use Planning, Transportation, Building Design and Climate

LCCH’s approach integrates green building design, high density, proximity to transit, and space for ridesharing to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. The building will also capture CO₂-enriched air from residents and channel it into the vertical farm, where it will help plants grow in a nutrient-rich atmosphere. For structural materials, we will likely use Anchor Concrete’s low-carbon “green concrete” to reduce the environmental impact of construction while maintaining strength and durability. These choices align with our not-for-profit model—lowering long-term costs, passing savings directly to members, and supporting the public interest in moving toward sustainable building practices.

Affordability and Market Choice

Our long-term vision is to keep housing charges permanently below comparable market rates for all members, while also offering a limited number of Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) units subsidized by LCCH itself. This creates a triple win: The City gains units that count toward its legislated housing targets. The City does not need to provide ongoing funding for these RGI units. Their inclusion strengthens LCCH’s eligibility for higher-level grant funding. Every grant dollar secured is a dollar that members will never have to repay, directly lowering housing charges compared to a similar for-profit development. This model protects affordability over the long term, giving members stability and choice in a housing market that often delivers neither.

Block with active ground floors and people outside

“Sense of Place” and Neighbourhood Character

LCCH’s design is a one-of-a-kind, made-in-Kingston vision—unique in both form and purpose. Its architecture will help define the character of the neighbourhood for the next 200 years, blending functionality with beauty in a way that reflects community values. Like a piece of abstract art, its shape and details will embody ideas of cooperation, sustainability, and resilience. The biophilic design draws on environmental cues our species has evolved to trust—light, greenery, natural materials, and open sightlines—subtly signalling safety, comfort, and belonging. Beyond its physical form, the building is designed as a stage for daily life—encouraging chance encounters, friendly conversations, and shared experiences. Common areas, inviting pathways, and active edges will foster a steady hum of human interaction, turning the site into an interesting, lively place where neighbours naturally connect and community thrives. In this way, the building itself becomes both a landmark and a living expression of what it means to be at home in Kingston.

Ease of Development in the Most Important Places

LCCH’s location at 900 Division Street is an infill site—often more challenging to develop than greenfield land, yet far more beneficial to the public interest. By revitalizing an existing urban space, our project supports sustainable growth while strengthening the surrounding community.

It also directly advances each of the Five Pillars of the Council Strategic Plan 2023–2026:

Support Housing Affordability
Lead Environmental Stewardship and Climate Action
Build an Active and Connected Community
Foster a Caring and Inclusive Community
Drive Inclusive Economic Growth

When a single project delivers on all these priorities, it should be the easiest to propose, approve, and bring to life. LCCH’s innovative, climate-smart, and attainable housing aligns with Kingston’s built and cultural heritage while meeting its future density goals. By balancing design excellence with community needs, we will create a place that feels vibrant, welcoming, and enduring—helping to shape a sustainable future for all.

Limestone City Co-operative Housing Inc. (LCCH)

Limestone City Co-operative Housing Inc. exists to address Kingston’s urgent need for attainable, community-focused housing. We offer a unique option for those shut out of home ownership but who still want security, influence over their living environment, and a sense of belonging. LCCH is for people who value co-operative living, food security, environmental stewardship, and the chance to live close to nature while enjoying the benefits of city life.

Our board of directors, staff, and members are committed to these principles and intend to live in the co-op once it is built. This will be our home.

Our first development is designed to serve groups most affected by Kingston’s housing crisis:

Younger seniors (55–74)
Young families (25–44)
Post-secondary students and entry-level workers

This mixed-income model supports long-term affordability, strengthens community diversity, and directly advances the City of Kingston’s housing and climate leadership goals—while staying rooted in the philosophical principles set out by the LCCH Board of Directors.

On February 4, 2024, the City committed its property at 900 Division Street to LCCH for one year, giving us time to work with our design partner, Planetary Harvest Projects, to create detailed plans, arrange financing, and collaborate with community partners. Our vision is a biophilic, climate-smart residential community with a co-op-run indoor farm at its heart—providing fresh food, shared purpose, and a lasting sense of place.

However, in March 2025, Kingston City Council voted not to proceed with selling the land to LCCH, choosing instead to place the property on the open market. This decision represents a significant setback for the project and for the community members who would have benefited from it.

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Even so we are actively looking for new sites. The LCCH vision remains: a housing model that benefits not just its residents, but the surrounding neighbourhood—through gardens, local amenities, and a steady supply of fresh, year-round produce.

Beekeeping co-op with hives and volunteers

Food Production Co-ops

Among the four major sectors in Kingston’s community greenhouse gas inventory, food is the most difficult to decarbonize—largely because global transportation systems for food are beyond local control. The City has identified that the best way to reduce emissions in this sector is to strengthen local food systems.

Currently, only about 2% of food consumed in Kingston is produced locally. Increasing that percentage would not only reduce “food miles” and the associated carbon footprint, but also keep more economic benefits within the community. Public feedback shows strong interest in local food, but concerns remain about high prices and limited variety. This points to a major opportunity: expanding local production and sales to improve both food equity and food security.

Indoor and urban agriculture can play a transformative role—building community, fostering skill-sharing, and connecting more residents with fresh, local food. The LCCH co-op will feature an integrated indoor food production facility aligned with Kingston’s Culinary Strategy and municipal guidelines for initiatives such as farm-to-table programs, farmers’ markets, and community gardens.

This approach will contribute to a healthier, more equitable society, stimulate the local economy, strengthen food security, and boost climate resilience. LCCH’s model is believed to be the first in Canada to combine non-profit co-operative housing with a full-scale, commercially viable indoor farm.