Housing Starts Fell 0.8% in August but Rose 1.4% YOY

Washington, DC, September 19, 2017-Privately-owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,180,000. This is 0.8% below the revised July estimate of 1,190,000, but is 1.4% above the August 2016 rate of 1,164,000, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced.

Single-family housing starts in August were at a rate of 851,000; this is 1.6% above the revised July figure of 838,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 323,000.

Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,300,000.

This is 5.7% above the revised July rate of 1,230,000 and is 8.3% above the August 2016 rate of 1,200,000.

Single-family authorizations in August were at a rate of 800,000; this is 1.5% below the revised July figure of 812,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 464,000 in August.

Privately-owned housing completions in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,075,000. This is 10.2% below the revised July estimate of 1,197,000, but is 3.4% above the August 2016 rate of 1,040,000. Single-family housing completions in August were at a rate of 724,000; this is 13.3% below the revised July rate of 835,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 348,000.