September Housing Starts Fell From August, But Rose 3.7% YOY

Washington, DC, October 17, 2018-Privately owned housing starts in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,201,000,the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced, 5.3% below the revised August estimate of 1,268,000 but is 3.7% above the September 2017 rate of 1,158,000.

Single‐family housing starts in September were at a rate of 871,000; this is 0.9% below the revised August figure of 879,000. The September rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 324,000.

Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,241,000, 0.6% below the revised August rate of 1,249,000 and 1.0% below the September 2017 rate of 1,254,000.

Single‐family authorizations in September were at a rate of 851,000; this is 2.9% above the revised August figure of 827,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 351,000 in September.

Privately owned housing completions in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,162,000. This is 4.1% below the revised August estimate of 1,212,000, but is 7.0% above the September 2017 rate of 1,086,000. Single‐family housing completions in September were at a rate of 844,000; this is 8.7% below the revised August rate of 924,000. The September rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 312,000.