Thoughts and Opinions On Today's Important Issues

Thursday, August 31, 2006

There And Here Along The 401


Can we really take any more bad news? The possible loss of 1,000 Ford jobs won't help either. Do you see anyone caring or trying to do something to stimulate our economy?

LONDON, August 9, 2006 –

July home starts in the London Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) hit the highest monthly starts level in eighteen years, according to preliminary figures released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) today. Two high-rise rental apartment developments totaling 394 units drove total July housing starts through the roof to 616 units, up 150 per cent from the same month a year earlier. Single-detached home construction softened to 190 home started, down seven per cent from 204 homes a year ago. Year-to-date single detached home starts, however, are eight per cent ahead of those started over the January to July period last year.

“London builders have accelerated the development of high-rise projects in anticipation of demand for apartments from empty-nesters and those seeking locations closer to city amenities,” said Penny Wu, CMHC’s London Market Analyst. “Apartment home starts are forecast to hit their highest level in more than a decade this year.”


WINDSOR, August 9, 2006 –

According to data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), total housing starts in the Windsor Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) fell to 55 units, down from the 157 units started in July 2005. Total starts for the first seven months of this year were 16 per cent lower than last year.

“July’s level of housing starts fell well below the 10 year average in Windsor,” said Margot Stevenson, Market Analyst for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “A high Canadian dollar which has negatively affected the exports and tourism sectors is contributing to less demand for new housing in Windsor,” added Stevenson.

Single starts in the Windsor area totaled 49 units last month, down 57 per cent from July 2005. Multiple starts which consisted of six semi-detached units, were 86 per cent lower than one year earlier.