More affordable than single-detached homes, townhome construction doubled in Ottawa last month, reaching a four-year high.
This trend confirms the strong presence of first-time homebuyers in Ottawa’s market, according to data released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Monday.
Even with townhouse construction surging ahead, total housing starts in the Ottawa Census Metropolitan Area numbered 371 units in January, down 10 per cent from 2009.
The overall decline in housing starts was mostly due to a strong showing in the apartment sector. Aside from this, activity among all other housing types was boosted by strong levels of homeownership demand and posted close to record growth for the month.
Single-detached home starts also reached an eight-year high for the month.
This “clearly reflects the strength and health of housing demand in Ottawa,” said CMHC senior market analyst Sandra Pérez Torres.
While townhome construction was most popular in Nepean, Cumberland, Gloucester, Kanata and West Carleton, the biggest single-detached starts were observed in Kanata, where builders broke ground on 39 new homes last month.
