The seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of housing starts was 189,200 units in July, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The seasonally adjusted annual rate estimate of housing starts activity was revised up in June from 189,300 units to 192,300 units. This results in a month-over-month decrease of 1.6 per cent in July.
“Housing starts moved lower in July, largely due to a decrease in urban single starts and a reduction in rural starts,” said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre. “Multiple starts partially offset this moderation.”
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased by 1.9 per cent to 169,300 units in July. Urban multiple starts increased by 13.4 per cent to 101,400 units, while single urban starts moved lower by 11.3 per cent to 67,900 units.
July’s seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts decreased 14.8 per cent in British Columbia, 2.6 per cent in Ontario, and 0.4 per cent in Quebec. Urban starts increased 37.7 per cent in the Atlantic Region and 14.4 per cent in the Prairie Region.
Source: CMHC
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/corp/nero/nere/2010/2010-08-10-0815.cfm