First Quarter Housing Starts Up in Barrie

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 11, 2012) - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) released preliminary first quarter 2012 new home construction figures for the Barrie Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) today. Builders started 88 homes in the most recent quarter, up from the 53 starts in the first quarter of 2011. Single-detached homes and apartments represented the majority of new construction. Four town home starts occurred this quarter. There were no semi-detached starts.

"Total starts are up this quarter compared to last year due to more starts of singles and apartments," said CMHC's Market Analyst, Edgard Navarrete. "Singles carved out a bigger share of total new construction in Barrie this quarter compared to the same quarter last year. Low mortgage rates continued to support demand for new homes."

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 65 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable Housing solutions. 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.

For more information, visit www.cmhc.ca or call 1-800-668-2642. CMHC Market Analysis standard reports are also available free for download at CMHC Housing Market Information.

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