Timmins is gearing up for potential growth in its mining sector, and housing is becoming a crucial issue leading up to the municipal election. Local housing officials and business leaders are highlighting challenges such as high construction costs, limited development opportunities, and a scarcity of affordable rental properties.
With the price of gold on the rise, numerous mining companies in and around Timmins are either expanding their operations or considering reopening dormant mines. Consequently, the city anticipates an influx of thousands of additional miners to the region within the next five to ten years.
Brian Marks, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB), expressed doubts about meeting the housing demand within that timeframe, given the projected growth.
The housing shortage is already impacting employers’ efforts to attract workers to Timmins. Angela Tremblay, the director of human resources at Lakeshore Gold, which operates two underground gold mines in the Timmins area, including the Timmins West and Bell Creek mines, noted that new employees are encountering challenges in finding affordable rentals or permanent housing upon relocating to the city. While the company offers temporary accommodations for these employees, some are struggling to secure permanent housing options within their budget constraints.
