August Housing Starts Down 2.6% from July & 1.2% YOY

Washington, DC, September 17, 2026—Privately-owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,275,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2.6% below the revised July estimate of 1,309,000 and 1.2% below the August 2025 rate of 1,291,000. Single-family housing starts in August were at a rate of 918,000; this is 7.6% above the revised July figure of 853,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 344,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,394,000. This is 2.7% below the revised July rate of 1,433,000, but is 3.5% above the August 2025 rate of 1,347,000. Single-family authorizations in August were at a rate of 878,000; this is 1.8% below the revised July figure of 894,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 467,000 in August.

Privately-owned housing completions in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,128,000. This is 11.9% below the revised July estimate of 1,280,000 and is 27.1% below the August 2025 rate of 1,548,000. Single-family housing completions in August were at a rate of 816,000; this is 10.4% below the revised July rate of 911,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 302,000.