Housing Starts Up 0.7% YOY in April, Fell 2.6% From March

Washington, DC, May 16, 2017- Privately-owned housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,172,000, the U.S. Census Bureau has announced. This is 2.6% below the revised March estimate of 1,203,000, but is 0.7% above the April 2016 rate of 1,164,000. Single-family housing starts in April were at a rate of 835,000; this is 0.4% above the revised March figure of 832,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 328,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,229,000. This is 2.5% below the revised March rate of 1,260,000, but is 5.7% above the April 2016 rate of 1,163,000. Single-family authorizations in April were at a rate of 789,000; this is 4.5% below the revised March figure of 826,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 403,000 in April.

Privately-owned housing completions in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,106,000. This is 8.6% below the revised March estimate of 1,210,000, but is 15.1% above the April 2016 rate of 961,000. Single-family housing completions in April were at a rate of 784,000; this is 4.5% below the revised March rate of 821,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 299,000.