Total Housing Starts Slid in December, but Single-Family Grew

Washington, D.C., January 20, 2023--Privately owned housing starts in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,382,000, which is 1.4% below the revised November estimate of 1,401,000 and 21.8% below the December 2021 rate of 1,768,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Single‐family housing starts in December were at a rate of 909,000--11.3% above the revised November figure of 817,000. The December rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 463,000.

Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,330,000. This is 1.6% below the revised November rate of 1,351,000 and 29.9% below the December 2021 rate of 1,896,000.

Single‐family authorizations in December were at a rate of 730,000. This is 6.5% below the revised November figure of 781,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 555,000 in December.

Privately owned housing completions in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,411,000. This is 8.4% below the revised November estimate of 1,540,000 but 6.4% above the December 2021 rate of 1,326,000.

Single‐family housing completions in December were at a rate of 1,005,000, which is is 8% below the revised November rate of 1,092,000. The December rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 385,000.