The City of Timmins is set to transform four tax-arrears properties into affordable duplexes, delivering eight new one-bedroom rental units by the end of next year. Rent for these units will range from $800 to $1,000 per month, according to a report by Lydia Chubak.
Prefabricated duplexes on city-owned land
The city acquired the four properties through tax arrears and plans to construct prefabricated duplexes on each site. Each duplex will contain two one-bedroom units, for a total of eight rental homes. The project aims to address the growing demand for affordable housing in the northern Ontario community.
“This initiative leverages underutilized city assets to create much-needed affordable housing quickly,” said a city official. “Prefabricated construction allows us to move faster than traditional building methods.”
Rent structure and affordability
Rents are set between $800 and $1,000 per month, which is significantly below the average market rent for a one-bedroom unit in Timmins. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the average rent for a one-bedroom in Timmins was approximately $1,200 in 2025. The new units will be available to households earning up to 80% of the area median income.
The project is funded through a combination of municipal reserves and provincial grants from Ontario’s Affordable Housing Program. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with completion by December 2027.
Community impact and next steps
Local housing advocates have welcomed the development. “Every affordable unit makes a difference in a community where vacancy rates are tight,” said a spokesperson for the Timmins District Social Services Administration Board. The city plans to issue a request for proposals for the prefabricated duplexes later this year.
The four properties are located in different neighborhoods across Timmins, ensuring a distributed approach to affordable housing. City council approved the plan unanimously at its June 2026 meeting.
