August Housing Starts Rose 2.8% YOY, Slid 5.1% from July

Washington, DC, September 17, 2020-Privately-owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,416,000, 5.1% below the revised July estimate of 1,492,000 but 2.8% above the August 2019 rate of 1,377,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Single-family housing starts in August were at a rate of 1,021,000; this is 4.1% above the revised July figure of 981,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 375,000. 

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,470,000. This is 0.9% below the revised July rate of 1,483,000 and is 0.1% below the August 2019 rate of 1,471,000. Single-family authorizations in August were at a rate of 1,036,000; this is 6.0% above the revised July figure of 977,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 381,000 in August.

Privately-owned housing completions in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,233,000. This is 7.5% below the revised July estimate of 1,333,000 and is 2.4% below the August 2019 rate of 1,263,000. Single-family housing completions in August were at a rate of 912,000; this is 4.4% below the revised July rate of 954,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 312,000.