Housing Starts Down 9.4% in September

Washington, DC, October 17, 2019-Privately‐owned housing starts in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,256,000, 9.4% below the revised August estimate of 1,386,000 but 1.6% above the September 2018 rate of 1,236,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Single‐family housing starts in September were at a rate of 918,000; this is 0.3% above the revised August figure of 915,000. The September rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 327,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,387,000, 2.7% below the revised August rate of 1,425,000 but 7.7% above the September 2018 rate of 1,288,000. Single‐family authorizations in September were at a rate of 882,000; this is 0.8% above the revised August figure of 875,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 470,000 in September.

Privately‐owned housing completions in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,139,000. This is 9.7% below the revised August estimate of 1,262,000 and is 1.0% below the September 2018 rate of 1,150,000. Single‐family housing completions in September were at a rate of 852,000; this is 8.6% below the revised August rate of 932,000. The September rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 285,000.