Housing Starts Declined 15.4% in May, Down 8.7% YOY

Washington, DC, June 16, 2026—Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,177,000, 15.4% below the revised April estimate of 1,392,000 and 8.7% below the May 2025 rate of 1,289,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Single-family housing starts in May were at a rate of 882,000; this is 1.9% below the revised April figure of 899,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 284,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,413,000. This is 0.7% below the revised April rate of 1,423,000 and is 0.2% below the May 2025 rate of 1,416,000. Single-family authorizations in May were at a rate of 886,000; this is 0.6% above the revised April figure of 881,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 474,000 in May.

Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,177,000. This is 15.4% below the revised April estimate of 1,392,000 and is 8.7% below the May 2025 rate of 1,289,000. Single-family housing starts in May were at a rate of 882,000; this is 1.9% below the revised April figure of 899,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 284,000.

Privately-owned housing completions in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,313,000. This is 8.1% below the revised April estimate of 1,429,000 and is 14.2% below the May 2025 rate of 1,530,000. Single-family housing completions in May were at a rate of 872,000; this is 1.6% below the revised April rate of 886,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 426,000.