July’s housing starts totalled 276 units throughout the St. John’s area compared to 258 units in July 2011. Year-to-date starts are up 13 per cent to 1,207 units.
Single-detached and multiple unit construction activity were mixed throughout the St. John’s area in July. There were 136 multiple units recorded versus 104 a year ago, while single-detached starts decreased nine per cent to 140 units compared to 154 last July.
“Although single-detached new home construction activity continues to trend downwards, condo and basement apartment activity remain strong, with multiple unit construction showing significant gains year-to-date,” said Chris Janes, senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in July were down two per cent to 16,876 units compared to 17,230 a year ago. Single-detached starts decreased eight per cent to 6,315 units, while multiple starts increased two per cent to 10,561 units in July. In the Atlantic region, 890 new units were started compared to 1,409 during July 2011.
The Telegram
