Housing starts in October rose 3.8% from September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,314,000, 8.5% above the October 2018 rate of 1,211,000, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced Tuesday.
Single‐family housing starts in October were at a rate of 936,000, 2.0% above the revised September figure of 918,000 and 8.2% ahead of October, 2018. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 362,000, up from 339,000 in September and 327,000 a year earlier.
Housing units authorized by building permits in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,461,000, 5.0% above the revised September rate of 1,391,000 and 14.1% above the October 2018 rate of 1,281,000. Single‐family authorizations in October were at a rate of 909,000, 3.2% above the revised September figure of 881,000 and 7.4% ahead of October a year earlier. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 505,000 in October, up from 476,000 a month earlier and 396,000 a year earlier.
Housing completions in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,256,000, 10.3% above the revised September estimate of 1,139,000 and 12.4% above the October 2018 rate of 1,117,000. Single‐family housing completions in October were at a rate of 897,000, 4.5% above the revised September rate of 858,000.
