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Some Observations on the Recent Pattern of Residential Building Permits in the GGH

By: John Clinkard      

June 4, 2021

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Over the last two quarters (i.e., Q4/2020 plus Q1/2021), the total number of residential building permits issued in the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) hit a record high of 39,734 units, up 56% from the same period a year earlier. By far the major contributor to this gain was a 73.6% jump, year-over-year, in apartment units which significantly outweighed the 26% rise, year-over-year, in the permits for single, semi-detached and townhouse units, aka ground-related units.

Line chart showcasing residential building permits for total, ground-related, and apartment units, 2017-2021. Source: TMU CUR

In regions of the GGH outside the GTA (the so-called ‘outer ring’ in addition to Hamilton), the total volume of permits issued during the past two quarters totalled a record 10,021 units. However, the pattern of growth of permits was somewhat more balanced with the number of apartment permits approved over the past six months totalling 5,597 units (+34.1% year-over-year) versus 4,424 (+35% year-over-year) for ground-related homes.

Line graph showing the total, ground-related, and apartment units in the Greater Toronto Area, 2017 to 2021. Source: TMU CUR

Conclusion

The fact that, over the past year, prices of existing ground-related homes in the GTA have risen by +24%, while prices of apartments are up only by 4.3% clearly indicates that home buyers have a strong preference for ground-related dwellings relative to apartments (and also that there is a shortage of product in the existing market).  However, given the mismatch between homebuyer’s preferences and the above noted sub-par pattern of ground-related building permits relative to apartments in the GGH, it appears unlikely that ground-related dwelling prices will materially ease in the near future. 

Line graph showcasing the residential building permits issues for ground-related an apartment units, 2017 -2021. Source TMU CUR

John Clinkard is a Research Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Urban Research and Land Development (CUR) in Toronto.

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