Canadian Housing Starts (July 2026)

Canadian housing starts decreased 5 per cent from the previous month, totaling 229,074 units in July at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). Starts were down 22 per cent from the same month last year (SAAR). In areas with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached housing starts were down 7 per cent year-over-year, while multi-family and other starts decreased by 21 per cent compared to July 2025

In British Columbia, starts fell by 14 per cent from last month to 30,685 units (SAAR) in all areas of the province. In areas of the province with 10,000 or more residents, single-detached starts increased by 5 per cent to 3,440 units, while multi-family starts fell by 17 per cent to 25,043 units month-over-month (SAAR). Starts in the province were 47 per cent below July 2025 levels (SAAR). Year-to-date starts are up 145 per cent in Nanaimo, but down 47 per cent in Abbotsford, 37 per cent in Kelowna, 30 per cent in Victoria, and about 10 per cent in Vancouver.