By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Lethbridge housing starts surge in August

Sep 11, 2017 | 8:48 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Housing starts in Lethbridge had another strong month in August, according to the latest data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

Work began on 110 new homes in the Lethbridge census metropolitan area (CMA) during the month, up 77 per cent from August of 2016. Forty-four of them were single-family homes, an increase of 13, while mulitple starts more than doubled to 66.

The numbers bring the total so far in 2017 to 476 starts, an increase of 14 per cent over the previous year. Both single- and multiple-unit dwellings are up.

Housing starts in the Calgary CMA are up 31 per cent, while the Edmonton area is showing a 25 per cent increase. The numbers also reflect the continuing rebuild of Fort McMurray. However, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Red Deer remain lower on the year.