October Housing Starts Up 14.2% YOY

Washington, DC, November 18, 2020- Privately-owned housing starts in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,530,000, 4.9% above the revised September estimate of 1,459,000 and 14.2% above the October 2019 rate of 1,340,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Single-family housing starts in October were at a rate of 1,179,000; this is 6.4% above the revised September figure of 1,108,000. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 334,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,545,000. This is virtually unchanged from the revised September rate of 1,545,000, but is 2.8% above the October 2019 rate of 1,503,000. Single-family authorizations in October were at a rate of 1,120,000; this is 0.6% above the revised September figure of 1,113,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 365,000 in October.

Privately-owned housing completions in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,343,000. This is 4.5% below the revised September estimate of 1,406,000, but is 5.4% above the October 2019 rate of 1,274,000. Single-family housing completions in October were at a rate of 883,000; this is 3.4% below the revised September rate of 914,000. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 444,000.