Housing starts in the City of Greater Sudbury continued their brisk pace in June bringing the first half of 2002 to a successful conclusion, according to preliminary figures released on July 9 by Canada Mortage and Housing Corp. Housing starts are up 47.3 per cent over the same six-month period in 2001. Single-detached permits to June 30 are up 49.5 per cent.
"A tightening resale market, especially in move-up buyer price ranges, combined with good affordability, has improved the plight of Sudbury builders this year," says Warren Philp, CMHC market analyst for Northern Ontario. "Meanwhile multiple unit construction is still quiet, given high vacancy rates."
Total housing starts are also up in three other major centres in Northern Ontario: North Bay's levels are up 34.6 per cent, while Sault Ste. Marie housing starts are up 18.5 per cent and Timmins' levels up by 11.1 per cent.
