The number of housing starts in Steinbach increased considerably last month. Statistics issued by the City of Steinbach for April show housing starts for the month were double the amount for the entire first quarter of the year. There were 26 housing starts bringing the total to 39 year-to-date. The April housing starts include a 15-unit apartment block being built at 295

A permit for a new 15-suite apartment block on Loewen Boulevard was the largest one in April.Loewen Boulevard. There were also starts on seven single-family homes and two duplexes.

The apartment block was the highest value permit at $1.7 million. Another large permit is for a $900,000 expansion of the church at 220 Brandt Street near the south end of the city.

The value of permits in April was $5.5 million, bringing the year-to-date total to just under $12.8 million.