Despite April’s statistics, Thunder Bay’s housing starts in 2010 are slightly outpacing numbers recorded in 2009.
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation released its April housing start statistics Monday, which shows that Thunder Bay’s starts are up by about six per cent compared to last year. April 2010, however, was one start behind numbers recorded in April 2009.
CMHC market analyst Warren Philp expects the numbers will pickup in spring.
"The five single-detached home ownership units are one unit off last April. However, as the spring progresses, expect an increase growth of housing starts around subdivisions in the city," Philp said. "The resale market appears to be strengthening, following a quieter year in 2009. This bodes well for the new construction market going forward."
Condo and apartment starts were a big part of last year’s January-to-April starts. In 2009, the city saw six starts in that sector by the end of April, while there has only been two so far in 2010.
Single-detached starts have been picking up the slack in 2010. So far there have been 16, while only 11 had been recorded by this time last year.
