Housing starts rise in December

OTTAWA — The rate of housing starts in January was 207,408 units (seasonally adjusted), up from 206,305 units in December, according to the latest data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. The SAAR of urban starts increased by 1% in January to 189,688 units. Multiple urban starts increased by 4.2% to 125,886 units in January, while single-detached urban starts decreased by 4.6%, to 63,802 units. The SAAR for the month of urban starts increased in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, but decreased in British Columbia, the Prairies, and Quebec. Rural starts were estimated at a SAAR of 17,720 units.