January Housing Starts Down From December, But Rose 21.4% YOY

Washington, DC, February 19, 2020-Privately‐owned housing starts in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,567,000, 3.6% below the revised December estimate of 1,626,000 but 21.4% above the January 2019 rate of 1,291,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Single‐family housing starts in January were at a rate of 1,010,000; this is 5.9% below the revised December figure of 1,073,000. The January rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 547,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,551,000. This is 9.2% above the revised December rate of 1,420,000 and is 17.9% above the January 2019 rate of 1,316,000. Single‐family authorizations in January were at a rate of 987,000; this is 6.4% above the revised December figure of 928,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 522,000 in January.

Privately‐owned housing completions in January were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,280,000. This is 3.3% below the revised December estimate of 1,323,000, but is 1.5% above the January 2019 rate of 1,261,000. Single‐family housing completions in January were at a rate of 877,000; this is 3.5% below the revised December rate of 909,000. The January rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 397,000.