The number of new housing starts in the Yukon and the overall value of residential construction have fallen off last year's pace, according to statistics.

In the first nine months of this year, for instance, there were 371 permits issued for new single-family houses, individual condo units, townhouse units and other types of dwellings. That figure compared to 394 over the same period in 2011.

The overall value of residential construction – including renovations – is estimated by the city and the Yukon government at $55.2 million to the end of September.

That compares with $62.3 million in the first nine months of 2011. That represents a 12.9 per cent decrease, despite this year's six-storey condo development at Mah's Point along Second Avenue at Jarvis Street.

A comparison of month-to-month statistics from across the Yukon for September 2011 and September 2012 shows a substantial drop in new residential activity this year compared to last.

Permits for 15 new units were pulled in September, compared to 93 in 2011.

The overall value of residential construction for September of this year is estimated at $2.43 million. That's down $9 million or 78 per cent from the $11.5 million of value estimated in September 2011.

Caution, however, needs to be exercised when looking too closely at comparisons in the number of new dwellings, Gary Brown of the Yukon Bureau of Statistics said earlier this month.

Brown said a project the size of Mah's Point can tip the scales quite quickly in the Yukon.

In July 2011, for example, there were 56 new residential dwellings permitted, according to the statistics. This past July, there were 136, including the 54 units at Mah's Point.

Similarly, when comparing the value of government or commercial construction, a single project can swing the numbers dramatically from year to year, or month to month.

The value of all government construction in the Yukon last July was $148,000. In July 2011, it was $25.8 million.

A comparison of the busiest six months of construction in the Yukon, however, is signaling a slight slowdown in residential construction this year over last.

In 2011, from April 1 to the end of September, 372 new dwellings were permitted, compared to 351 this year.

The total construction value in the same period last year, including renovations to older buildings that required permits, was estimated at $57.3 million, compared to $52.3 million this year, a decline of 8.7 per cent.

And interest in the new residential lots available in phase one of Whistle Bend subdivision has been less than brisk, according to the numbers.

Val Smith, president of the Yukon Real Estate Association said recently she's not reading much into the numbers showing a downturn over last year.

Activity in the residential sector fluctuates, she said.

Last year, she added, there was increased activity related to lots coming available in Ingram and Takhini North, and some of that housing has not yet been absorbed by the market.

The less-than-brisk interest in the Whistle Bend lots may have something to do with their size and the removal of much of the trees and shrubs, she said.

Of the 90 single-family lots available in September's land lottery, 25 were spoken for, though most were turned back, with nine resulting in purchase agreements.

Another three single-family lots were taken in October's lottery for builders and contractors, with one turned back.

Currently, there are 79 lots available for purchase over the counter at the Yukon government's lands branch.

There was standing room only at September's lottery for contractors looking to buy one of the seven duplex lots, and each lot has been sold.

The smallest lot in the September lottery, measuring 564 square metres (6,071 square feet), sold for $118,853.

Added to that cost was $5,942 for the GST and $3,500 to the city to cover the development cost charge, for a total purchase price of $128,295.

A couple of the larger lots, measuring 645 square metres (6,943 square feet), sold for $128,077, plus $6,403 for the GST and $3,500 to the city, for a total purchase price of $137,980.

The seven duplex lots sold for between $157,226 and $165,142, plus the GST and $5,600 to the city for development charges, for a total price ranging from $170,687 to 178,999.

Of the three multi-family lots taken in the lottery, all three were turned back by the high bidders. One of three went to the second highest bidder for a price of $201,000, or just under $6,000 above the minimum price of $195,339, plus $10,050 GST and $2,800 to the city for each unit included in the project.

One of the lots valued at $199,464 – before the GST and the city's development charges – is being held by the Yukon Housing Corp. for the Habitat for Humanity housing program.

The remaining five multi-family lots in phase one are available over the counter, ranging in price from $180,649 to $860,983.