The Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board (CDSSAB) completed the Living Space Relocation Review from September 2023 to February 2024. It was a participatory process that brought hundreds of people and dozens of organizations together to respond to the request from Timmins City Council that options for the relocation of the emergency shelter out of residential and commercial zones be considered. The final report was shared with Timmins City Council in April 2024, including 36 suggested solutions.

What’s happening now?

In response to suggestions that focused on on the need for stronger communications and more transparency, the CDSSAB is working with Third Party Public (the team that led the Relocation Review) to do two things: create and convene monthly meetings of a Neighbourhood Liaison Group (NLG); and write and distribute a monthly Neighbourhood Update

NEW Neighbourhood Liaison Group

The CDSSAB has created a Neighbourhood Liaison Group (NLG) to stay better connected with people living and working in the neighbourhood around the Living Space emergency shelter. The Terms of Reference for the NLG are linked here. NLG members were selected through an application process that was open to all. All applications submitted were accepted. Monthly meetings started in July 2024 and will run through to April 2025 (one year from delivery of the Relocation Review Report to City Council). All meeting summaries will be posted online on this website (see links above). There will be three (3) agenda items at every meeting:

1. Updates from organizations responsible for implementing the 36 suggested solutions from the Relocation Review, with CDSSAB and Living Space attending every meeting;

2. Updates from NLG members on their experience in the neighbourhood, and opportunities to work together to improve that experience; and

3. Shared learning on different topics.

Members of the NLG include individuals as well as those representing organizations, including:

Richard Cybulskie
Angie Giguere
Sarah Hookimaw (as of September 2024)
Annette Lacroix
Mark Leblanc
Lee Vail
Downtown Timmins Business Improvement Area (Cory Robin)
Timmins Youth Wellness Hub (Anne Vincent)

*If you are interested applying to be a member of the NLG, the Application Form is available here.

NEW Monthly Neighbourhood Updates

CDSSAB is publishing a series of monthly updates for people that live and work in the neighbourhood around the Living Space emergency shelter, including clients of Living Space. See links at the top of this website.

Questions or want more information? Reach the CDSSAB by contacting Cameron Grant at Cameron.Grant@cdssab.on.ca or (705) 288-7640 or reach the Third Party Public team facilitating the Neighbourhood Liaison Group by contacting Nicole Swerhun at nicole@thirdpartypublic.ca (416) 572-4365.