October Housing Starts Down 0.7% from September, but Up 0.4% YOY

Washington, DC, November 17, 2021- Privately‐owned housing starts in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,520,000, 0.7% below the revised September estimate of 1,530,000 but 0.4% above the October 2020 rate of 1,514,000, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced. Single‐family housing starts in October were at a rate of 1,039,000; this is 3.9 percent (±9.5 percent)* below the revised September figure of 1,081,000. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 470,000.

Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,650,000. This is 4.0% above the revised September rate of 1,586,000 and is 3.4% above the October 2020 rate of 1,595,000. Single‐family authorizations in October were at a rate of 1,069,000; this is 2.7% above the revised September figure of 1,041,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 528,000 in October.

Privately‐owned housing completions in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,242,000. This is virtually unchanged from the revised September estimate of 1,242,000, but is 8.4% below the October 2020 rate of 1,356,000. Single‐family housing completions in October were at a rate of 929,000; this is 1.7% below the revised September rate of 945,000. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 302,000.

Related Topics: U.S. Census Bureau