Housing Starts Up 12.3% in August

Washington, DC, September 18, 2019-Privately‐owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,364,000, 12.3% above the revised July estimate of 1,215,000 and is 6.6% above the August 2018 rate of 1,279,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Single‐family housing starts in August were at a rate of 919,000; this is 4.4% above the revised July figure of 880,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 424,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,419,000. This is 7.7% above the revised July rate of 1,317,000 and is 12.0% above the August 2018 rate of 1,267,000. Single‐family authorizations in August were at a rate of 866,000; this is 4.5% above the revised July figure of 829,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 509,000 in August.

Privately‐owned housing completions in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,294,000. This is 2.4% above the revised July estimate of 1,264,000 and is 5.0% above the August 2018 rate of 1,232,000. Single‐family housing completions in August were at a rate of 945,000; this is 3.7% above the revised July rate of 911,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 338,000.