July Housing Starts Slid 7.0% from June but Rose 2.5% YOY

Washington, DC, August 18, 2021-Privately‐owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,534,000, 7.0% below the revised June estimate of 1,650,000 but 2.5% above the July 2020 rate of 1,497,000, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced.

Single‐family housing starts in July were at a rate of 1,111,000; this is 4.5% below the revised June figure of 1,163,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 412,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,635,000. This is 2.6% above the revised June rate of 1,594,000 and is 6.0% above the July 2020 rate of 1,542,000. Single‐family authorizations in July were at a rate of 1,048,000; this is 1.7% below the revised June figure of 1,066,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 532,000 in July.

Privately‐owned housing completions in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,391,000. This is 5.6% above the revised June estimate of 1,317,000 and is 3.8% above the July 2020 rate of 1,340,000. Single‐family housing completions in July were at a rate of 954,000; this is 3.6% above the revised June rate of 921,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 426,000.