Privately-owned housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 853,000, 16.5 percent below the revised March estimate, but 13.1 percent above April 2012, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Single-family housing starts in April were 610,000, 2.1 percent below the revised March figure. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 234,000.
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were 1,017,000. This is 14.3 percent above the revised March rate and is 35.8 percent above the April 2012 estimate.
Single-family authorizations in April were 617,000, 3 percent above the revised March figure. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 374,000 in April.
Privately-owned housing completions in April were 689,000. This is 14.3 percent below the revised March estimate, but is 3.3 percent above the April 2012 rate.
Single-family housing completions in April were 536,000, 9.8 percent below the revised March rate. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 149,000.
