Manitoba new home starts are performing at an amazingly resilient level.
We are on pace to have between 5,300 and 5,400 starts for the year.
Although that is down slightly from the 5,888 starts in 2010, it still represents a very productive year.
The production in 2010 represented the greatest number in any one year for the past 23 years. A slight decline for 2011 was an inevitability, given that a number of large multi-family projects originally slated for this year were commenced last year due to increased demand. In reality, anything over 5,000 starts is a very good year in this province.
What makes this year's pace to date so impressive is that the lion's share of the load has had to be placed square on the shoulders of Winnipeg.
Earlier in the spring, the primary flooding fear was immediately south of Winnipeg. It then spread north of the city. Many highways and provincial roads were closed.
Necessary materials could not be transported. Skilled tradespeople were pulled away from their jobs to assist in the flood relief effort.
Residential construction in that straight north-south line slowed considerably.
Recently, flooding fears shifted to the west of Winnipeg and the Assiniboine River. From the southwest corner of the province near Melita through Brandon and Portage, flooding was reaching unprecedented levels.
Again, all efforts had to be diverted to flood protection. It was no surprise to anyone to see a decline in residential construction while this fight against Mother Nature was waged.
However, through it all, provincial start numbers remained steady with projections still hovering near the 5,400 mark. That is primarily because starts in Winnipeg are very strong with new home demand almost as high as last year's record demand.
When the river levels go down and life returns to normal, look for starts outside Winnipeg to return with a vengeance. The shortened spring season just means summer will be that much more productive.
Manitobans are accustomed to having the year interrupted by bitterly cold stretches in winter, spring rains or flood threats. However, our resiliency is legendary and we always rise to the occasion.
Even with a temporary dip in housing starts in areas outside Winnipeg, new home starts remain vibrant. Look for greater balance throughout the rest of the year as things return to normal throughout Manitoba.
Mike Moore is president of the Manitoba Home Builders' Association.
