Housing Starts Rose 0.9% in July

Washington, DC, August 16, 2018-Privately owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,168,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

This is 0.9% above the revised June estimate of 1,158,000, but is 1.4% below the July 2017 rate of 1,185,000. Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 862,000; this is 0.9% above the revised June figure of 854,000. 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 1,311,000. This is 1.5% above the revised June rate of 1,292,000 and is 4.2% above the July 2017 rate of 1,258,000. Single-family authorizations in July were at a rate of 869,000; this is 1.9% above the revised June figure of 853,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 410,000 in July.

Privately owned housing completions in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,188,000. This is 1.7% below the revised June estimate of 1,209,000 and is 0.8% below the July 2017 rate of 1,197,000. Single-family housing completions in July were at a rate of 814,000; this is 5.2% below the revised June rate of 859,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 371,000.