Housing Starts Rose 10.8% in March

Washington, DC, April 29, 2026-Privately-owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,502,000, 10.8% above the revised February estimate of 1,356,000 and 10.8% above the March 2025 rate of 1,355,000. Single-family housing starts in March were at a rate of 1,032,000; this is 9.7% above the revised February figure of 941,000. The March rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 446,000.

Privately-owned housing starts in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,356,000. This is 3.0% below the revised January estimate of 1,398,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,372,000. This is 10.8 percent below the revised February rate of 1,538,000 and is 7.4 percent below the March 2025 rate of 1,481,000. Single-family authorizations in March were at a rate of 895,000; this is 3.8 percent below the revised February figure of 930,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 427,000 in March.

Privately-owned housing completions in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,366,000. This is 0.1% above the revised February estimate of 1,364,000, but is 12.8% below the March 2025 rate of 1,566,000. Single-family housing completions in March were at a rate of 896,000; this is 4.8% below the revised February rate of 941,000. The March rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 452,000.

Privately-owned housing completions in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,364,000. This is 6.3% below the revised January estimate of 1,455,000.