Letting the economy do our dirty work for us...

Why is it that it takes an episode of economical crisis for the trends to change to a more sustainable path?

When gas prices rise to over $100 a barrel, people begin to demand better fuel economy in their new vehicles. When job loss hits a region, people begin to stay put and renovate their current homes, or move into existing neighbourhoods. That is the news Dave Hall brings us today in his business column..

Housing starts lowest since 1984, down 41%

Falling to their lowest levels since 1984, housing starts across the Windsor area dropped by 41 per cent in 2007 compared to the previous year, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Single-detached starts fell by 40 per cent and multiple home starts dropped by 44 per cent. Overall, there were 614 starts in 2007, compared to 1,045 a year earlier.

"A combination of adequate choice in the resale market, job uncertainty and weaker consumer confidence has resulted in less demand for new homes," said Margot Stevenson, a market analyst for CMHC.

In December, there were 26 single unit starts, unchanged from a year ago. Multiple starts, which consisted of four semi-detached units and 12 apartment rental units, were 56 per cent higher in December than a year ago.

In a year-to-date comparison, starts fell by 55 per cent in Windsor, 43 per cent in Lakeshore and 41 per cent in Amherstburg.

In LaSalle, they increased by 44 per cent over the same period and by a whopping 157 per cent in Tecumseh.

Across Ontario, starts fell by seven per cent in 2007 compared to 2006.

It seems that it takes times of economical crisis to force the changes that the experts say we need to make to move towards a more sustainable existence. Is it because people equate this more sustainable world to one of strife and stagnation?

I think this is one of the primary messages we need to conquer if we are to make the core areas of Windsor a more attractive and viable place to live and raise a family.