Date: June 16, 2025
Canadian housing starts were largely flat from the previous month, totalling 279,510 units in May at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were up 4 per cent from the same month last year.
Single-detached housing starts decreased by 6 per cent from last month to 55,161 units, while multi-family and other starts rose by 1 per cent to 224,350 units (SAAR).
British Columbia Highlights
In British Columbia, housing starts fell by 29 per cent from last month to 37,455 units (SAAR) across all areas of the province.
In areas with populations of 10,000 or more:
- Single-detached starts increased by 2 per cent to 3,657 units.
- Multi-family starts fell by 33 per cent to 31,987 units month-over-month.
Overall, housing starts in B.C. were 19 per cent below levels from May 2024.
Year-to-Date Changes by City:
- Abbotsford: up 87%
- Nanaimo: down 75%
- Kelowna: down 45%
- Vancouver: down 23%
- Victoria: down 12%
Source: BCREA