November Housing Starts Increase in St. Catharines-Niagara

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 8, 2011) - Preliminary data for November 2011 released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for the St. Catharines-Niagara Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) show total housing starts increased in November compared to the same month last year, but remain unchanged from the previous month. Total starts were 79 units for the month, up from 53 units started in November 2010.

Starts of all housing types increased from the same time last year except for apartments. Single-detached starts were up by 29 per cent and town homes doubled compared to November 2010. There were six semi-detached starts, up from two in November 2010, but no apartment starts this month.

"Although starts are up this month from a year ago, on a year-to-date basis they have declined for all housing types except apartments. St. Catharines and Lincoln have had the biggest year-to-date declines because there is less land available in these areas for construction of single-detached and town homes," said Anthony Adrien, Market Analyst with CMHC.

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 65 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of high 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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