Categories: BC Real Estate

B.C. housing starts up in February on higher multi-family dwelling projects

Increases to the number of new multi-family dwelling projects across B.C.’s urban centres nudged overall housing starts up in February compared to the same month last year, according to new numbers by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

While more condo and townhouse projects got underway in cities with a population of 10,000 or more across the province, the number of new single-family detached homes decreased, compared to the same period last year.

In Vancouver, 1,675 new multiple-family dwelling units got started last month, up 38 per cent from 1,211 in February 2011.

In the same period, the number of new detached homes decreased from 203 to 195.

Across all of urban B.C., the total number of housing starts climbed by 28 per cent in February, year over year, increasing from 1,805 to 2,302.

The year-to-date numbers showed increases in both housing categories across urban B.C.

Single-detached starts rose from 739 last year to 808 in January and February this year, while the number of new multiples climbed from 2,957 to 3,546.

“Residential construction activity during the first two months of 2012 is ahead of last year’s levels due to strength in a number of housing markets around the province,” said Carol Frketich, CMHC’s BC Regional Economist, in a release.

She said Nanaimo, Victoria, Abbotsford-Mission, Vernon and Chilliwack also recorded an increase in total housing starts so far this year, compared to January and February of 2011.

Chris Stepchuk

Recent Posts

The days of $400 strata fees are over!

As you can imagine, as a Managing Broker for a Vancouver Strata Management Company, we…

1 month ago

Why you should shop your strata property insurance around

With the sharp increase in strata property insurance over the past 5 years, Strata Insurance…

1 month ago

Why strata management companies fire their clients

Perhaps you've just been fired by your Strata management company, or you've been told by…

1 month ago

Why your budget meeting is more important than your AGM

The AGM is your most important meeting of the year, correct? While most people would…

2 months ago

Why the current education system for Strata Agents is grossly inadequate

Inadequate is a strong word, but I only use this word because it's true! The…

2 months ago

Why is Strata Agent turnover so high?

While I usually like to highlight the positives about being a strata manager, I would…

3 months ago