Housing Starts Declined 4.6% in October

Washington, DC, January 9, 2026-Privately-owned housing starts in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,246,000, 4.6% below the revised September estimate of 1,306,000 and 7.8% below the October 2024 rate of 1,352,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Single-family housing starts in October were at a rate of 874,000; this is 5.4% above the revised September figure of 829,000. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 347,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,412,000. This is 0.2% below the revised September rate of 1,415,000 and is 1.1% below the October 2024 rate of 1,428,000. Single-family authorizations in October were at a rate of 876,000; this is 0.5% below the revised September figure of 880,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 481,000 in October.

Privately-owned housing completions in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,386,000. This is 1.1% above the revised September estimate of 1,371,000 but is 15.3% below the October 2024 rate of 1,636,000. Single-family housing completions in October were at a rate of 1,009,000; this is 6.0% above the revised September rate of 952,000. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 367,000.