Canadian Housing Starts Surge in April 2025: A Detailed Look

The Canadian housing market has shown a remarkable upturn in April 2025, with housing starts rising by 30 percent to reach 278,606 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This marks a 15 percent increase compared to the same month in the previous year. The surge is driven by a 15 percent rise in single-detached housing starts, totaling 57,026 units, and a significant 35 percent increase in multi-family and other starts, reaching 221,582 units (SAAR).

In British Columbia, the housing starts landscape is particularly dynamic. The province saw a 71 percent month-over-month increase, bringing the total to 53,195 units (SAAR) across all areas. However, the picture varies by housing type and region. Single-detached starts in areas with 10,000 or more residents dipped by 5 percent to 3,582 units, while multi-family starts soared by 87 percent to 47,499 units. Despite the monthly gains, provincial starts remain 3 percent below April 2024 levels. Year-to-date figures reveal stark contrasts: Abbotsford leads with a 141 percent increase, while Nanaimo, Kelowna, Victoria, and Vancouver experience declines of 78 percent, 30 percent, 29 percent, and 25 percent, respectively.

The accompanying charts provide a visual insight into these trends. The first chart tracks British Columbia housing starts from 2010 to 2025, highlighting monthly fluctuations and the smoother 6-month moving average. The second chart compares year-to-date housing starts by city for 2024 and 2025, underscoring Vancouver's dominance and the varied performance across other key cities.

This data suggests a robust recovery in the housing sector, particularly in multi-family developments, though regional disparities indicate ongoing challenges. Stay tuned for Florencio's updates as the year progresses.