Housing Starts Rose 3.2% in November, 13.6% YOY

Washington, DC, December 17, 2019--Privately‐owned housing starts in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,365,000, 3.2% above the revised October estimate of 1,323,000 and 13.6% above the November 2018 rate of 1,202,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Single‐family housing starts in November were at a rate of 938,000; this is 2.4% above the revised October figure of 916,000. The November rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 404,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,482,000. This is 1.4% above the revised October rate of 1,461,000 and is 11.1% above the November 2018 rate of 1,334,000. Single‐family authorizations in November were at a rate of 918,000; this is 0.8% above the revised October figure of 911,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 524,000 in November.

Privately‐owned housing completions in November were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,188,000. This is 6.6% below the revised October estimate of 1,272,000, but is 7.3% above the November 2018 rate of 1,107,000. Single‐family housing completions in November were at a rate of 883,000; this is 3.6% below the revised October rate of 916,000. The November rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 295,000.