Canadian housing starts increased 14 per cent from the previous month, totaling 279,234 units in September at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were up 25 per cent from the same month last year. Single-detached housing starts increased by 1 per cent from last month to 55,408 units, while multi-family and other starts increased by 18 per cent to 223,825 units (SAAR). 

In British Columbia, starts fell by 20 per cent from last month to 37,305 units (SAAR) in all areas of the province. In areas of the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts decreased by 5 per cent to 3,965 units, while multi-family starts fell by 23 per cent to 30,197 units month-over-month. Starts in the province were 15 per cent below the levels from September 2024. Year-to-date starts are up 101 per cent in Abbotsford and 23 per cent in Victoria, but down 55 per cent in Nanaimo, 42 per cent in Kelowna, and 0.6 per cent in Vancouver.

Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.