Dieppe set a number of new construction records in 2023, according to figures released by the city.

There were 571 building permits issued with a total value of more than $182 million, surpassing the previous record of $119 million set just one year earlier.

A total of 427 permits were issued for 926 housing units, which also set a new record. It was a 29 per cent increase over the previous year.

“This good news will allow us to better deal with the housing shortage,” Yvon Lapierre, the mayor of Dieppe, said in a news release on Friday.

“Dieppe continues to strengthen its position as a great place to live, work and raise a family, and this is happening thanks to dynamic residential, commercial and industrial construction.”

A recent study found that the city needs to create between 3,500 and 4,400 new housing units by 2033 just to meet demand.

Construction of multi-unit buildings accounted for more than half of the new units approved at 519. Townhouse construction was also up, with 274 new units.

There were also increases in the number of single-family homes (43), two-family homes (72) and mini-homes (12) compared to the previous year.

Alexandre Girard, director of planning and development for the city, said they continue to work to promote the construction of affordable housing.

“With the recent announcement of the Dieppe Boulevard extension, the municipality continues to be in a position to support the significant growth of our population,” Girard said in the release.

Earlier in January, the three levels of government announced a combined $42 million to expand Dieppe Boulevard by about two kilometres.

The work, expected to take about four years, will enable the servicing of 500 acres of development-ready land, which the city said could generate more than $18 million annually in property taxes alone.