According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, privately-owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,381,000. This is 6.1 percent below the revised June estimate of 1,470,000 and is 20.9 percent below the revised July 2006 rate of 1,746,000.
  ;
Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 1,070,000; this is 7.3 percent below the June figure of 1,154,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 275,000.
Building Permits
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,373,000. This is 2.8 percent below the revised June rate of 1,413,000 and is 22.6 percent (& plusmn; 1.3%) below the revised July 2006 estimate of 1,774,000.
Single-family authorizations in July were at a rate of 1,003,000; this is 1.6 percent (& plusmn; 1.2%) below the June figure of 1,019,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 314,000 in July.
Housing Completions
Privately-owned housing completions in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,512,000. This is 0.1 percent below the revised June estimate of 1,513,000 and is 22.2 percent below the revised July 2006 rate.
  ;
Single-family housing completions in July were at a rate of 1,203,000; this is 4.0 percent below the June figure of 1,253,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 280,000.
Full report here