CMHC annouced today:“The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts was 181,900 units in February, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This is up from 170,600 units in January 2011.“Housing starts moved higher in February because of increases in Ontario and the Prairies,” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre. “The bulk of this increase was felt in the multiples segment. From last month, multi-family starts were up in Saskatchewan and in Toronto.”The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased by 9.4 per cent to 161,000 units in February. Urban multiple starts were up by 14.5 per cent in February to 94,900 units, while single urban starts edged higher by 3.0 per cent to 66,100 units.

February’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts decreased by 24.7 per cent in Atlantic Canada, by 7.1 per cent in Québec, and by 5.9 per cent in British Columbia. Urban starts increased by 29.3 per cent in Ontario and by 26.1 per cent in the Prairies.

Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 20,900 units in February.

As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on 65 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of high quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable homes. CMHC also provides reliable, impartial and up-to-date housing market reports, analysis and knowledge to support and assist consumers and the housing industry in making informed decisions.”
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