Housing starts were flat across the country in August, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts came in at 252,787 units in August, a drop of one per cent compared to July’s figure of 255,232 units.

Housing starts in urban areas fell one per cent, with 233,075 units recorded in August. Rural starts are estimated at 19,712 units.

Broken down, multi-unit urban starts decreased one per cent to 191,250 units, while single-detached urban starts increased two per cent to 41,825 units.

Rural starts are estimated at 19,712 units.

Meanwhile, the six-month moving average of total housing starts for all areas increased 0.8 per cent, going from 242,552 units in July to 244,507 units in August.