Connect With PPD
Follow Us:
Sections: News

New Residential Construction: Housing Starts, Building Permits Cool in February

New residential homes are shown under construction in Carlsbad, California September 19, 2011. (Photo: Reuters)

The U.S. Census Bureau report on new residential construction statistics for February show housing starts and building permits missed expectations, though housing completions were very strong.

Building Permits

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,298,000, a 5.7% (±0.7%) decline from the revised January rate of 1,377,000. However, it is still 6.5% (±2.4%) higher than the February 2017 rate of 1,219,000.

Single-family authorizations in February were at a rate of 872,000, a 0.6% (±0.9%) decline from the revised January figure of 877,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 385,000 in February.

Housing Starts

Privately-owned housing starts in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,236,000, a 7.0% (±16.7%) drop from the revised January estimate of 1,329,000. It is also 4.0% (±12.2%) below the February 2017 rate of 1,288,000. Yet, single-family housing starts, the key component in this report, were at a rate of 902,000 in February.

This is 2.9% (±10.8%) above the revised January figure of 877,000. The February rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 317,000.

Housing Completions

Privately-owned housing completions in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,319,000, a 7.8% (±14.8%) gain from the revised January estimate of 1,224,000 and a 13.6% (±16.0%)* gain from the February 2017 rate of 1,161,000. That is very strong for this component.

Single-family housing completions in February were at a rate of 895,000, an increase of 3.0% (±10.6%) from the revised January rate of 869,000. The February rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 418,000.

READ FULL STORY

SubscribeSign In
PPD Business Staff

PPD Business, the economy-reporting arm of People's Pundit Daily, is "making sense of current events." We are a no-holds barred, news reporting pundit of, by, and for the people.

View Comments

Share
Published by
PPD Business Staff

Recent Posts

Media’s Worst Russian Collusion Sins May Soon Be Repeated

The most damning journalistic sin committed by the media during the era of Russia collusion…

1 year ago

Study: Mask-Mandates and Use Not Associated With Lower Covid-19 Case Growth

The first ecological study finds mask mandates were not effective at slowing the spread of…

3 years ago

Barnes and Baris on Big Tech’s Arbitrary Social Media Bans

On "What Are the Odds?" Monday, Robert Barnes and Rich Baris note how big tech…

4 years ago

Barnes and Baris on Why America First Stands With Israel

On "What Are the Odds?" Monday, Robert Barnes and Rich Baris discuss why America First…

4 years ago

Personal Income Fell Significantly in February, Consumer Spending Weaker than Expected

Personal income fell $1,516.6 billion (7.1%) in February, roughly the consensus forecast, while consumer spending…

4 years ago

Study: Infection, Vaccination Protects Against Covid-19 Variants

Research finds those previously infected by or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 are not at risk of…

4 years ago

This website uses cookies.