Housing Starts Down 5.2% in September

Washington, DC, October 20, 2026—Privately-owned housing starts in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,221,000, 5.2% below the revised August estimate of 1,288,000 and 7.4% below the September 2025 rate of 1,319,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Single-family housing starts in September were at a rate of 859,000; this is 4.6% below the revised August figure of 900,000. The September rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 349,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,400,000. This is 0.2% below the revised August rate of 1,403,000 and is 3.0% below the September 2025 rate of 1,444,000. Single-family authorizations in September were at a rate of 845,000; this is 4.0% below the revised August figure of 880,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 503,000 in September.

Privately-owned housing completions in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,192,000. This is 2.2% above the revised August estimate of 1,166,000, but is 14.0% below the September 2025 rate of 1,386,000. Single-family housing completions in September were at a rate of 840,000; this is 2.4% below the revised August rate of 861,000. The September rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 339,000.