March 8, 2010 - The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts reached 196,700 units in February 2010. This is an increase from an annual rate of 185,400 units in January 2010, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

"The gain in February housing starts was concentrated in the multiple starts segment, particularly in Toronto," says Bob Dugan, chief economist at CMHC's Market Analysis Centre.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased by nine per cent to 179,100 units in February. Urban multiple starts increased by 19.1 per cent to 89,900 units while single urban starts increased by 0.5 per cent to 89,200 units.

February's seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts increased by 28.6 per cent in Ontario, by 14.3 per cent in Atlantic Canada, by 10.8 per cent the Prairie Region, and by 8.0 per cent in the British Columbia. In the Quebec, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts decreased by 14.1 per cent.

Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 17,600 units in February.