شروع ساخت مسکن در ژانویه رو به افزایش؛ نگرانی از افول روند در آینده

نرخ سالانه تعدیل‌شده فصلی (SAAR) ماهانه شروع پروژه‌های مسکن در تمامی مناطق کانادا در ژانویه ۳ درصد افزایش یافت و شروع واقعی پروژه‌های مسکن در مراکز با جمعیت ۱۰,۰۰۰ نفر یا بیشتر نسبت به سال گذشته ۷ درصد افزایش داشت؛ اما علی‌رغم این دستاوردها، خط روند کلی ۲.۵ درصد کاهش یافت، به گزارش Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) در آخرین گزارش خود درباره شروع پروژه‌های مسکن.

خط روند ژانویه، که میانگین متحرک شش‌ماهه نرخ سالانه تعدیل‌شده فصلی کل شروع پروژه‌های مسکن در تمامی مناطق کانادا است، به ۲۳۶,۸۹۲ واحد رسید؛ در حالی که نرخ SAAR شروع‌ها در ژانویه به ۲۳۹,۷۳۹ واحد رسید—افزایشی قابل توجه نسبت به ۲۳۲,۴۹۲ واحد گزارش‌شده در دسامبر.

شروع واقعی پروژه‌های مسکن در مراکز با جمعیت ۱۰,۰۰۰ نفر یا بیشتر در ژانویه به ۱۵,۹۳۰ واحد رسید، در مقایسه با ۱۴,۸۸۳ واحد گزارش‌شده ۱۲ ماه قبل.

با نگاهی به سه شهر بزرگ کانادا، مونترال (Montreal) افزایش ۱۱۲ درصدی در شروع واقعی پروژه‌های مسکن در ژانویه را ثبت کرد، در حالی که ونکوور(Vancouver) افزایش ۳۷ درصدی را تجربه نمود؛ اما در تورنتو (Toronto) شروع پروژه‌ها نسبت به ژانویه ۲۰۲۴ به میزان ۴۱ درصد کاهش یافت، که این کاهش ناشی از افت شروع پروژه‌های چند واحدی بود.

«هر دو نرخ SAAR ماهانه و شروع واقعی پروژه‌های مسکن در مراکز شهری کانادا در ژانویه افزایش یافتند. این امر عمدتاً به دلیل افزایش ۸ درصدی در شروع پروژه‌های چند واحدی، به‌ویژه در اجاره‌های اختصاصی در کبک و بریتیش کلمبیا بود»، به گفته Tania Bourassa-Ochoa (Tania Bourassa-Ochoa)، معاون ارشد اقتصاددان CMHC.

«با اینکه این افزایش‌ها نشانه‌های اولیه پیشرفت در آغاز سال را نشان می‌دهند، خطرات تجارت خارجی ابهام قابل توجهی برای ساخت مسکن در آینده به همراه دارند.»

آخرین دیدگاه بازار مسکن CMHC پیش‌بینی می‌کند که شروع پروژه‌ها بین امسال و ۲۰۲۷ کاهش یابد، چرا که آژانس شاهد کاهش شروع پروژه‌های کاندومینیوم و آپارتمان‌ها است.

The Rise of Small Multi-Unit Developments in Toronto

A small developer has ambitious plans for a residential property on a quiet street in Toronto’s Junction neighborhood. If approved by the city, four condo units will replace a single-family home on the lot. This proposal, submitted by HMV Homes, follows the model of a previous development in Pape Village, which included three apartment units in a three-story building and a backyard suite.

Toronto’s municipal authorities are also reviewing another request for a similar project on Dovercourt Road, involving a three-story building with an additional backyard suite. These small-scale condo developments are beginning to reshape neighborhoods historically dominated by single-family homes.

However, industry experts note that such projects can be complex and costly. So, what’s driving this new interest?

What Are Multi-Unit Apartments?

A multi-unit apartment (multiplex) is a building that consists of several residential units. While these properties are traditionally rented out, developers can apply to convert them into condominium ownership, allowing individual units to be sold separately. In such cases, owners form a small condominium management company, outlining rights and responsibilities in a shared ownership agreement, which may also include maintenance fees.

Toronto’s “Expanding Housing Options in Neighborhoods” initiative has simplified and accelerated the approval process for these projects. The policy legalized backyard suites and made duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes permissible without requiring special zoning permits.

Example Project in the Junction

At 68 Westholme Ave in the Junction, HMV Homes is building a three-unit residential structure with a backyard suite. The city is currently evaluating the application to convert these into condominium ownership.

Each of the four proposed units will have three bedrooms. Two units will feature two bathrooms, while the other two will have three bathrooms. Each unit will have its own private outdoor space: the basement and backyard suite will have separate yard access, the ground-floor unit will include a balcony, and the duplex occupying the upper two floors will have both a balcony and a terrace.

Christopher Langley, an urban planner representing the project, emphasized the benefits for buyers:

“These projects provide opportunities for families to enter neighborhoods they otherwise couldn’t afford, bringing them closer to schools, jobs, and diverse lifestyle options.”

Dovercourt Road Development

At 798 Dovercourt Rd, another developer has received approval for a three-story building with a backyard suite. However, the city has yet to approve its conversion to condominium ownership. The developer declined to comment on the project.

How Much Do Multi-Unit Condos Cost?

Pricing for these units varies based on location, size, and design. The Pape Village project, launched by HMV Homes in 2024, included three family-sized units that quickly sold for approximately $1 million each. The basement unit, a one-bedroom suite, took about six months to sell and was eventually purchased for $375,000.

Langley stated that lessons learned from Pape Village are being applied to the Junction project.

Luxury Multi-Unit Homes in Toronto

Montreal-based HMV Homes is relatively new to the Toronto market, but Blue Lion Building has been developing multi-unit homes in the city for over a decade. Evan Saskin, architect and president of Blue Lion, explains that their projects typically focus on luxury designs that resemble homes rather than traditional apartments.

Their first project was approved in 2012, and while most required zoning exemptions, recent ones have benefited from Toronto’s relaxed regulations. Saskin highlighted a project on Ossington Avenue, where individual units in a three-story building, plus a backyard suite, were sold separately. The smallest unit—a 680 sq. ft. one-bedroom suite—sold for $750,000 in June 2023, while the largest—a 1,800 sq. ft. three-bedroom home with three floors, a basement, backyard, and parking—sold for $1.38 million in June 2024.

Saskin pointed out:

“These units offer an attractive alternative to condos. Buyers get comparable square footage at a similar price, with lower maintenance costs and greater privacy.”

He added that these homes provide family-friendly living spaces that would not be otherwise available at similar price points. However, higher density and managing small condominium corporations remain challenges.

Financial Incentives for Developers

Leonid Kotov, founder and president of Greenstreet Flats, explained the financial benefits of converting multiplex developments into condominiums. Unlike rental properties, which require long-term investment, condominium sales offer a quicker return on investment.

Saskin emphasized:

“Toronto doesn’t need more $3-million, 3,000 to 5,000 sq. ft. homes in upscale neighborhoods. Instead, multiplex developments can introduce families to desirable areas while supporting sustainable growth.”

Streamlining the Approval Process

Toronto’s city government is working to simplify the approval process for multiplex developments. In summer 2024, a dedicated housing team was established to fast-track housing-related applications. Further policy changes aim to reduce costs and expedite approvals for routine applications, including small condo projects.

Langley concluded:

“Toronto—and the entire Greater Toronto Area—urgently needs more housing. Providing innovative solutions that allow more people to enter the market is crucial.”

Final Thoughts

As Toronto continues to evolve, small multi-unit developments offer an innovative way to increase housing supply while maintaining neighborhood charm. While challenges remain, including affordability, zoning regulations, and condo management complexities, these projects present a promising solution for families seeking urban living spaces. With increasing demand and city-wide policy support, the future of four-unit condos in Toronto looks promising.

Source: Toronto Star