April Housing Starts Declined 0.2% from March but Rose 14.6% YOY

Washington, DC, May 18, 2022-Privately‐owned housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,724,000, 0.2% below the revised March estimate of 1,728,000 but 14.6% above the April 2021 rate of 1,505,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Single‐family housing starts in April were at a rate of 1,100,000; this is 7.3% below the revised March figure of 1,187,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 612,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,819,000. This is 3.2% below the revised March rate of 1,879,000, but is 3.1% above the April 2021 rate of 1,765,000. Single‐ family authorizations in April were at a rate of 1,110,000; this is 4.6% below the revised March figure of 1,163,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 656,000 in April.

Privately‐owned housing completions in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,295,000. This is 5.1% below the revised March estimate of 1,365,000 and is 8.6% below the April 2021 rate of 1,417,000. Single‐family housing completions in April were at a rate of 1,001,000; this is 4.9% below the revised March rate of 1,053,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 281,000.