According to the data released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), urban housing starts in Newfoundland and Labrador totalled 9 units in March 2024, down 25.0% (or 3 units) compared to March 2023.

Housing construction is generally limited in Newfoundland and Labrador between January and March. Strong percentage changes may be due to a low basis of comparison in the same month of the previous year.

On a year-to-date basis, urban housing starts in the province totalled 104 units in January to March 2024, up 131.1% (or 59 units) compared the corresponding months in 2023. These gains were mainly due to a large number of starts in January 2024, particularly in the multiple-units category (+33 units) and in the single-detached category (+21 units).

At the national level, urban housing starts increased by 15.6% (or 2,296 units) in March 2024 compared to March 2023. On a year-to-date basis, urban housing starts in Canada increased by 12.8% (or 5,591 units) in January to March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Preliminary Housing Starts, Urban Areas Newfoundland and Labrador
	Mar 2023	Mar 2024	% Change	Jan-Mar 2023	Jan-Mar 2024	% Change
St. John’s CMA
Single	10	4	-60.0	40	53	32.5
Multiple	2	1	-50.0	5	39	680.0
Total	12	5	-58.3	45	92	104.4
Other Urban Areas
Single	0	4	–	0	12	–
Multiple	0	0	–	0	0	–
Total	0	4	–	0	12	–
Total Urban Areas
Single	10	8	-20.0	40	65	62.5
Multiple	2	1	-50.0	5	39	680.0
Total	12	9	-25.0	45	104	131.1
Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

 

Economics Division, Department of Finance – (709) 729-3255 – infoera@gov.nl.ca