Housing Starts Rose 5.7% in April

Washington, DC, May 16, 2024- Privately‐owned housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,360,000, 5.7% above the revised March estimate of 1,287,000 but 0.6% below the April 2023 rate of 1,368,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Single‐family housing starts in April were at a rate of 1,031,000; this is 0.4% below the revised March figure of 1,035,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 322,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,440,000. This is 3.0 percent below the revised March rate of 1,485,000 and is 2.0% below the April 2023 rate of 1,470,000. Single‐family authorizations in April were at a rate of 976,000; this is 0.8% below the revised March figure of 984,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more was 322,000.

Privately‐owned housing completions in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,623,000. This is 8.6% above the revised March estimate of 1,495,000 and is 14.6% above the April 2023 rate of 1,416,000. Single‐family housing completions in April were at a rate of 1,092,000; this is 15.4% above the revised March rate of 946,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 516,000.