Housing Starts Declined 12.4% in July

Washington, DC, August 18, 2026—Privately-owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,239,000, 12.4% below the revised June estimate of 1,415,000 and 13.5% below the July 2025 rate of 1,432,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 808,000; this is 9.9% below the revised June figure of 897,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 421,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,443,000. This is 5.0% above the revised June rate of 1,374,000 and is 3.1% above the July 2025 rate of 1,400,000. Single-family authorizations in July were at a rate of 894,000; this is 2.5% above the revised June figure of 872,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 490,000 in July.

Privately-owned housing completions in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,212,000. This is 9.1% below the revised June estimate of 1,333,000 and is 16.8% below the July 2025 rate of 1,456,000. Single-family housing completions in July were at a rate of 878,000; this is 5.8% below the revised June rate of 932,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 329,000.