B.C. Interior cities show strong new home construction numbers

Southern Interior cities showed strong housing starts last month with Kelowna again marking near record levels, according to the latest CMHC report.

Kamloops and Vernon also showed “robust” growth in starts of apartments and condominiums, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation analyst Taylor Pardy said in the April report.

After lagging in recent months, “some large apartment rentals and condo projects” pushed housing starts to 382 in the Kelowna census metropolitan area which came close to last April’s record of 403.

The report notes continued strong demand for both renting and owning in multi-family developments in Kelowna, with continued low vacancy rates and residential sales listings.

Three high-rise condominium towers are currently under construction in Kelowna, the first phase of One Water, Ella and Ellis Parc.

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