Housing Starts Fell 4.0% in July, Up 0.6% YOY

Washington, DC, August 16, 2019-Privately‐owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,191,000, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

This is 4.0% below the revised June estimate of 1,241,000, but is 0.6% above the July 2018 rate of 1,184,000. Single‐family housing starts in July were at a rate of 876,000; this is 1.3% above the revised June figure of 865,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 303,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,336,000. This is 8.4% above the revised June rate of 1,232,000 and is 1.5% above the July 2018 rate of 1,316,000. Single‐family authorizations in July were at a rate of 838,000; this is 1.8% above the revised June figure of 823,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 453,000 in July.

Privately‐owned housing completions in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,250,000. This is 7.2% above the revised June estimate of 1,166,000 and is 6.3% above the July 2018 rate of 1,176,000. Single‐family housing completions in July were at a rate of 918,000; this is 4.3% above the revised June rate of 880,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 321,000.