The U.S. Census Bureau released its monthly new residential construction report for both February and March on April 29, with the figures suggesting continued homebuilding momentum in early 2026.

Housing Starts

Privately-owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 1.502 million — the highest mark since December 2024. It was 10.8% above February’s revised estimate and well above economists’ forecasts of 1.40 million. Year-over-year, starts were also up 10.8%.

• March single-family housing starts were at a rate of 1.032 million — 9.7% above February’s revised mark and up 8.9% year-over-year
• More volatile multifamily housing starts were at a rate of 446,000 — up 9.6% month-to-month and 13.5% year-over-year

Housing Building Permits

March privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits were at a seasonally-adjusted rate of 1.372 million — 10.8% below February’s revised rate and down 7.4% year-over-year. 

• Single-family authorizations were at a rate of 895,000 — down 3.8% from February and down 7.9% year-over-year
• Multifamily authorizations were at a rate of 427,000 — down 23.5% from February and down 5.3% year-over-year

Housing Completions

March privately-owned housing completions were at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 1.366 million — 0.1% above February’s revised total but down 12.8% year-over-year. 

• Single-family completions were at a rate of 896,000 — 4.8% below February’s revised rate and down 14.5% year-over-year
• Multifamily completions were at a rate of 452,000 — up 10.2% from February’s revised total and down 9.1% year-over-year