2009 Urban Housing Starts in Newfoundland and Labrador

ST. JOHN'S , Jan. 11 /CNW/ - Urban housing starts posted consistent results during the month of December and throughout 2009, according to preliminary data(1) released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). December's housing starts totaled 201 throughout the St. John's area versus 202 starts in December of 2008. An additional 22 starts were recorded in other urban areas across the province, for a total of 223 provincial starts compared to 226 the previous December. For 2009, urban housing starts totaled 1,703 in the St. John's area and 2,022 provincially.

"The local residential construction industry remained buoyant throughout 2009 and ended the year off just nine per cent compared to 2008's record pace," said Chris Janes , senior market analyst with CMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. "Despite weakness in the global economy in 2009, positive local economic and demographic factors continued to support stable residential construction activity within the St. John's region, as well as in other urban centres across the province," added Janes.

For Canada's urban centres, total housing starts increased 17 per cent with 12,262 recorded in December compared to 10,488 during December of 2008. Single-detached starts increased 44 per cent to 6,222, while multiple starts of 6,040 represent a two per cent decline from a year ago. Throughout Atlantic Canada , there were 672 urban housing starts posted versus 574 the previous December, an increase of 17 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.

    
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    (1)  Figures for the most recent month are preliminary and subject to
         revisions due to corrections or updates from quarterly enumeration
         or sampling results.
    

For more information, visit www.cmhc.ca or call 1-800-668-2642.

    
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                  "PRELIMINARY URBAN MONTHLY HOUSING STARTS
                       NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR SUMMARY"
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                              2009   2008  % Change    YEAR-TO-DATE  % Change
                               DEC    DEC              2009    2008
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           ALL URBAN CENTRES WITH POPULATIONS GREATER THAN 50,000
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    ST. JOHN'S CMA
    Single                     128    150     -14.7%  1,385   1,485     -6.7%
    Multiple                    73     52      40.4%    318     378    -15.9%
    TOTAL                      201    202      -0.5%  1,703   1,863     -8.6%
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            ALL URBAN CENTRES WITH POPULATION GREATER THAN 10,000
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    ALL CENTRES
    Single                     150    174     -13.8%  1,662   1,781     -6.7%
    Multiple                    73     52      40.4%    360     448    -19.6%
    TOTAL                      223    226      -1.3%  2,022   2,229     -9.3%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Figures for the most recent month are preliminary and subject to
    revisions due to corrections or updates from quarterly enumeration or
    sampling results.

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                    "PRELIMINARY QUARTERLY HOUSING STARTS
                       NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR SUMMARY"
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                              2009   2008  % Change    YEAR-TO-DATE  % Change
                                Q4     Q4              2009    2008
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           ALL URBAN CENTRES WITH POPULATIONS GREATER THAN 10,000
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    ST. JOHN'S CMA
    Single                     388    456     -14.9%  1,385   1,485     -6.7%
    Multiple                   132    119      10.9%    318     378    -15.9%
    TOTAL                      520    575      -9.6%  1,703   1,863     -8.6%
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    BAY ROBERTS CA
    Single                      22     22       0.0%     78      77      1.3%
    Multiple                     0      0         -       2       0        -
    TOTAL                       22     22       0.0%     80      77      3.9%
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CORNER BROOK CA
    Single                      18     18       0.0%     62      69    -10.1%
    Multiple                     0      0         -       8       4   # #
    TOTAL                       18     18       0.0%     70      73     -4.1%
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    GANDER CA
    Single                      20     22      -9.1%     98      89     10.1%
    Multiple                     0      0         -      20      12     66.7%
    TOTAL                       20     22      -9.1%    118     101     16.8%
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    "GRAND FALLS/
    WINDSOR CA"
    Single                      10     12     -16.7%     39      61    -36.1%
    Multiple                     0      0         -      12      54    -77.8%
    TOTAL                       10     12     -16.7%     51     115    -55.7%
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    ALL CENTRES
    Single                     432    530     -18.5%  1,662   1,781     -6.7%
    Multiple                   144   119       21.0%    360     448    -19.6%
    TOTAL                      576   649      -11.2%  2,022   2,229     -9.3%
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    Figures for the most recent month are preliminary and subject to
    revisions due to corrections or updates from quarterly enumeration or
    sampling results.

    # # Indicates changes in excess of 100% which are
    not reported due to volatility resulting from small absolute numbers.
    

For further information: Chris Janes, Senior Market Analyst - NL, CMHC Market Analysis Centre, [phone], Cell: [phone], [email protected]