continued to track lower last month, according to preliminary housing starts data released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). There were 261 starts in April, down from 465 a year ago. Although starts were significantly lower than last year's figures, they remain in line with April figures from years prior. Starts of nearly all home types decreased significantly, while semidetached starts were up. Construction began on a182 unit rental building in Burlington last month. There were no condominium townhouses or apartments started during the month. "Starts are slowing down," said Sarah Fong, CMHC's Senior Market Analyst for Hamilton and Brantford. "The slowing was most noticeable for single-detached and townhome construction," added Fong.