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National housing starts fell in January to 142,300 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR)*, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. That level represents a 17.3% drop from the revised rate of 172,100 units in December. It is also lower than the rate of 164,300 posted in January 1992. National housing starts fell in January In the opening month of the year, lower a0 n ............................‘.C..O.....Q......... "The January slide partially results from the slightly higher mortgage rates In urban centres, starts singleâ€"detached dwellings declined to 62,600 units from 78,800 in December, while multiple unit starts were off to 53,700 units from 66,600 in December. detached dwellings and multiple units in most provinces. has not deteriorated and starts are expectâ€" ed to recover in coming months." Ontario starts dropped to 32,100 units SAAR from 46,900 in December. This and the easing of the resale market that took place at the end of 1992," said Gilles Proulx, Chief Economist at CMHC‘s Market Analysis Centre. "Socially assisted starts were also abnormally low. However, the supply demand balance of the market Quebec starts increased marginally to 28,700 units from 27,600 in December due to good activity in the semiâ€"detached and row housing segments of the market. resulted from a large reduction in socially assisted housing starts. Starts of singleâ€" detached dwellings climbed marginally on a seasonally adjusted basis and other segâ€" ments of the ownership market also perâ€" formed well. to