Quebec housing starts in January

MONTREAL , Feb. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - According to the results of the latest monthly survey conducted by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), residential construction rose this past month in Quebec's centres with 10,000 or more inhabitants. In all, 2,911 dwellings were started in January, compared to 1,997 a year earlier. As well, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of starts for this same month (48,400) was stronger than the pace recorded in December (45,100). Nationally, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts was 165,200 units in January.

The surge in residential construction registered in January in Quebec was attributable to increases in single-detached home building (+41 per cent) and multiple-unit housing activity (+47 per cent). At the regional level, the census metropolitan areas (CMAs) of Montréal and Québec posted major gains (see table).

"The significant increase in starts recorded in January resulted from a combination of factors, as the resale market tightened over the past year-boosting demand for new homes-and the weather conditions, which had been unfavourable for construction in January of last year, were relatively favourable this year. We believe that this intense activity is not an indication of the vigour forecast for 2010," said Kevin Hughes , Regional Economist at CMHC.

For all CMAs across Quebec , single-detached home starts rose by 48 per cent over January 2009 , while multiple-family housing starts increased by 53 per cent. Foundations were laid for a total of 2,538 dwellings in the province's CMAs in January 2010 , for a hike of 52 per cent compared to a year earlier.

During this same period, housing activity in the census agglomerations with 50,000 to 99,999 inhabitants remained relatively stable (5 fewer starts than in January 2009). There were more single-detached home starts (+42 per cent) in these centres, but this gain was offset by a decline in multi-family housing construction (-23 per cent).

In the CMAs, the year-over-year increases in starts were particularly strong for freehold homes (+75 per cent) and condominiums (+93 per cent). During this same period, rental housing activity in the CMAs remained relatively stable (-2 per cent).

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. For more information, call 1-800-668-2642.

    
       Preliminary Results - Monthly Starts Survey - Province of Quebec
                        (centres with 10,000+ inhab.)

                                   January

                     Singles             Multiples              Total
                2009   2010      %   2009   2010      %   2009   2010      %
              --------------------  -------------------  --------------------
    Centres
     with
     100,000+
     inhab.

    GATINEAU      62     32    -48    188    127    -32    250    159    -36
    MONTRÉAL     200    324     62    953  1,462     53  1,153  1,786     55
    QUÉBEC        50    127   (xxx)    50    206   (xxx)   100    333   (xxx)
    SAGUENAY       6     12   (xxx)    12      8    -33     18     20     11
    SHERBROOKE    47     46     -2     83    123     48    130    169     30
    TROIS-
     RIVIÈRES     12     17     42     12     54   (xxx)    24     71   (xxx)

    Subtotal
     (100,000+)  377    558     48  1,298  1,980     53  1,675  2,538     52

    Centers
     with
     50,000
     to 99,999
     inhab.

    DRUMMOND-
     VILLE        18     24     33     23     24      4     41     48     17
    GRANBY        18     15    -17     58     50    -14     76     65    -14
    SAINT-
     HYACINTHE     3      6   (xxx)    20      0   -100     23      6    -74
    SHAWINIGAN     1      3   (xxx)     6      0   -100      7      3    -57
    SAINT-JEAN-
     SUR-
     RICHELIEU     8     20   (xxx)     0      8   (xxx)     8     28   (xxx)

    Subtotal
     (50,000
     to 99,999)   48     68     42    107     82    -23    155    150     -3

    Quebec
     (estimate
     10,000+)    488    690     41  1,509  2,221     47  1,997  2,911     46


                             January to January

                     Singles             Multiples              Total
                2009   2010      %   2009   2010      %   2009   2010      %
              --------------------  -------------------  --------------------
    Centres
     with
     100,000+
     inhab.

    GATINEAU      62     32    -48    188    127    -32    250    159    -36
    MONTRÉAL     200    324     62    953  1,462     53  1,153  1,786     55
    QUÉBEC        50    127   (xxx)    50    206   (xxx)   100    333   (xxx)
    SAGUENAY       6     12   (xxx)    12      8    -33     18     20     11
    SHERBROOKE    47     46     -2     83    123     48    130    169     30
    TROIS-
     RIVIÈRES     12     17     42     12     54   (xxx)    24     71   (xxx)

    Subtotal
     (100,000+)  377    558     48  1,298  1,980     53  1,675  2,538     52

    Centers
     with
     50,000
     to 99,999
     inhab.

    DRUMMOND-
     VILLE        18     24     33     23     24      4     41     48     17
    GRANBY        18     15    -17     58     50    -14     76     65    -14
    SAINT-
     HYACINTHE     3      6   (xxx)    20      0   -100     23      6    -74
    SHAWINIGAN     1      3   (xxx)     6      0   -100      7      3    -57
    SAINT-JEAN-
     SUR-
     RICHELIEU     8     20   (xxx)     0      8   (xxx)     8     28   (xxx)

    Subtotal
     (50,000
     to 99,999)   48     68     42    107     82    -23    155    150     -3

    Quebec
     (estimate
     10,000+)    488    690     41  1,509  2,221     47  1,997  2,911     46

    (xxx) Absolute value greater than 100%
    

For further information: Province: Kevin Hughes, Regional Economist (province of Quebec), [phone]; Montréal: David L'Heureux, Senior Market Analyst, [phone]; Québec: Élisabeth Koulouris, Senior Market Analyst, [phone]; Gatineau (Outaouais, Abitibi): Patrice Tardif, Senior Market Analyst, [phone]; Sherbrooke (Estrie): Francis Cortellino, Senior Market Analyst, [phone]; Trois-Rivières (Mauricie): Marie-Élaine Denis, Market Analyst, [phone]; Saguenay: Marie-Élaine Denis, Market Analyst, [phone]