January Housing Starts in Halifax

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 8, 2011) - New residential construction in Halifax increased last month compared to January 2010 according to preliminary data⁽¹⁾ released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). There were 247 housing starts last month, compared to 63 recorded in January of 2010. Single-detached starts decreased from 55 to 44 units while multiple starts increased from 8 to 203 units.

"January numbers were supported by a high level of apartment construction," said Matthew Gilmore, senior market analyst with CMHC's Atlantic Business Centre. "In the single-detached market, starts last month declined 20 per cent from a year earlier" Gilmore added.

In urban centres across Canada, total housing starts recorded in January were down six per cent to 9,773 units compared to last year's total of 10,438. Single-detached starts declined 28 per cent to 3,463 units, while multiple starts increased 13 per cent to 6,310 units in 2011. In the Atlantic region, 480 new units were started in January 2011 compared to 441 units during the same period in 2010.

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of 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 vital decisions.

⁽¹⁾ Figures for the most recent month are preliminary and subject to revisions due to corrections or updates from quarterly enumeration or sampling results.  

For more information, visit www.cmhc.ca or call 1 800 668-2642.

(Ce document existe également en français)

PRELIMINARY URBAN MONTHLY HOUSING STARTS NOVA SCOTIA SUMMARY

	2011	2010		YEAR-TO -DATE
			% Change			% Change
	JAN	JAN		2011	2010
	ALL URBAN CENTRES WITH POPULATIONS > 50,000
HALIFAX CMA
Single	44	55	-20.0%	44	55	-20.0%
Multiple	203	8	##	203	8	##
TOTAL	247	63	##	247	63	##
CAPE BRETON RGM
Single	3	6	-50.0%	3	6	-50.0%
Multiple	6	4	50.0%	6	4	50.0%
TOTAL	9	10	-10.0%	9	10	-10.0%
	ALL URBAN CENTRES WITH POPULATION >10,000
ALL CENTRES*
Single	61	91	-33.0%	61	91	-33.0%
Multiple	211	19	##	211	19	##
TOTAL	272	110	##	272	110	##

Figures for the most recent month are preliminary and subject to revisions due to corrections or updates from quarterly enumeration or sampling results.

* Includes all centres with a total population of more than 10,000 (Halifax CMA, Cape Breton RGM, Truro CA, Kentville CA and New Glasgow CA, Chester MD, East Hants MD, Kings Subd. A SCM, Lunenburg MD, Queens RGM, West Hants MD, Yarmouth MD).

## Indicates changes in excess of 100% which are not reported due to volatility resulting from small absolute numbers.