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Canada Housing Starts Slide 15% in January to 238,049 as Trend Weakens

CMHC expects further easing, citing high costs, softer demand, rising inventories.

Overview

  • CMHC’s six-month moving average fell 3.5% in January to 254,794 units, the fourth consecutive monthly decline.
  • January’s decline more than reversed December’s increase, pulling the seasonally adjusted annual rate down from 280,668.
  • Actual starts in centres with populations of 10,000 or more rose 1% year over year to 16,088 units.
  • Large-city results diverged: Vancouver rose 37% year over year, Toronto slipped 2%, and Montreal fell 44%.
  • For 2025, total starts reached 259,028, up 5.6% from 2024, with rentals driving gains as the federal Build Canada Homes program launched with $13 billion to spur construction.