Saskatchewan housing starts down in 2009

Housing starts in Saskatoon in 2009 did not keep pace with construction activity in 2008, despite a jump in numbers for December.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) monthly survey shows Saskatoon recorded 1,101 single-detached starts in 2009, down from 1,288 starts in 2008.

And by the end of 2009, Saskatoon had recorded 327 multiple starts, down from 1,031 in 2008.

In total, Saskatoon and the surrounding area saw 1,428 housing starts in 2009 compared to 2,319 in 2008.

"Housing starts are down for most of Saskatchewan this year, resulting in a decline in supply," said CMHC market analyst Paul Caton.

Last month in the Saskatoon metropolitan area, homebuilders laid foundations for 123 housing units, an increase from 55 in December 2008.

There were 97 single-detached and 26 multiple-housing starts in Saskatoon in December 2009, up from 44 and two a year ago.

Regina's numbers in residential construction were also down year-over-year, says the CMHC survey.

The total number of starts in 2009 was 930, compared to 1,375 in 2008.