A drop in construction for multi-unit housing is in store for Windsor in 2025, according to the latest forecast from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
The report, released Thursday morning, forecasted an overall decline that followed a strong 2024 for housing construction in the area.
"In 2025, we predict lower housing starts in the Windsor CMA, driven by fewer condominium apartment starts," read the report from the CMHC. "This follows an exceptional year in 2024, where the City of Windsor was one of the first municipalities to surpass its provincial housing targets."
The total number of predicted starts for Windsor in 2025 is between 1,550 and 1,950 total starts.
There were 2,157 total housing starts in Windsor in 2024, buoyed by a whopping 1,657 starts for multiple-unit housing. For 2025, the range for multi-unit starts is forecast between 1,050 and 1,350.
The forecast for single-detached, row, and semi-detached starts shows an increase from last year's 486, to a range between 500 and 600.
The report also said that changes made by the federal government concerning international students will affect rentals in Windsor.
"The average rent will stabilize and grow at a slower rate, especially in areas near universities and colleges," read the report. "This is due to reduced demand from international students. In these same areas, market intelligence suggests that vacancy rates will continue to increase."
The average rent for a two-bedroom unit is forecast to increase by 2.4 per cent in 2025, to $1,420 per month.
The information in the report released on Thursday was based on data available as of January 14.
The complete forecast for Windsor, and other markets, can be found on the official CMHC website.