The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts was 239,300 in June, virtually unchanged from May, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

“June’s strong results continue to reflect positive economic factors, particularly low mortgage rates, improving employment and strong consumer confidence,” said Bob Dugan, chief economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre. “This is the strongest mid-year level since 1987.”

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts did not change from the previous month and remained at 208,500 units in June. Urban single starts decreased 5.7% in June to 101,900 but urban multiple starts rose 6.2% to 106,600 on a seasonally adjusted annual basis.

In all regions of Canada, except British Columbia and Quebec, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased in June: 2.2% in the Atlantic; 0.6% in Ontario and; 17.1% in the Prairies. In British Columbia and Quebec, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts decreased in June by 7.2% and 9.0% respectively.

Rural starts in June were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 30,800 units.

Year to date actual urban starts were 11.2% higher through June than for the same period last year. Single starts were up 5.3% while multiple starts were up 18.1%.