Canada’s housing construction sector showed significant momentum in April 2025, with national housing starts rising 30% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 278,606 units, according to the latest figures. This also marks a 15% increase compared to April 2024, indicating growing builder confidence despite broader economic uncertainties.
🔨 National Highlights
- Single-detached starts: 57,026 units (+15% month-over-month)
- Multi-family and other starts: 221,582 units (+35% month-over-month)
British Columbia: Multi-Family Boom Drives 71% Surge in Housing Starts
In British Columbia, housing starts soared by 71% from March to 53,195 units (SAAR). The gains were largely fueled by a spike in multi-family developments, signaling a shift in builder focus amid land and affordability constraints.
📍 BC Housing Start Details (Areas with 10,000+ residents)
- Single-detached starts: 3,582 units (–5% month-over-month)
- Multi-family starts: 47,499 units (+87% month-over-month)
- Total starts: 3% below April 2024, despite the month-over-month surge
📊 Regional YTD Trends (Year-to-Date)
- Abbotsford: +141%
- Nanaimo: –78%
- Kelowna: –30%
- Victoria: –29%
- Vancouver: –25%
BC’s strong multi-family growth in April reflects ongoing demand for higher-density housing in urban centers, especially as affordability challenges persist. The year-to-date slowdown in cities like Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna indicates longer-term development delays or project hesitations from earlier in the year—possibly tied to interest rate volatility or permitting constraints.
While national starts point to renewed building activity, regional divergences are becoming more pronounced, suggesting that localized policies and land availability continue to shape how—and where—homes are being built.
