The US Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,232,000. This is 3.9 percent (±2.2 percent) below the revised November rate of 1,282,000, but is 14.4 percent (±1.2 percent) above the December 2014 estimate of 1,077,000.
Single-family authorizations in December were at a rate of 740,000; this is 1.8 percent (±2.2 percent) above the revised November figure of 727,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 455,000 in December. An estimated 1,178,400 housing units were authorized by building permits in 2015. This is 12.0 percent (±1.8 percent) above the 2014 figure of 1,052,100.
Privately-owned housing starts in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,149,000. This is 2.5 percent (±8.6 percent) below the revised November estimate of 1,179,000, but is 6.4 percent (±12.2 percent) above the December 2014 rate of 1,080,000.
Single-family housing starts in December were at a rate of 768,000; this is 3.3 percent (±8.5 percent) below the revised November figure of 794,000. The December rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 365,000. An estimated 1,111,200 housing units were started in 2015. This is 10.8 percent (±2.9 percent) above the 2014 figure of 1,003,300.
Privately-owned housing completions in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,013,000. This is 5.6 percent (±10.5 percent) above the revised November estimate of 959,000 and is 7.9 percent (±11.6 percent) above the December 2014 rate of 939,000.
Single-family housing completions in December were at a rate of 696,000; this is 8.8 percent (±12.2 percent) above the revised November rate of 640,000. The December rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 307,000. An estimated 965,700 housing units were completed in 2015. This is 9.3 percent (±3.8 percent) above the 2014 figure of 883,800.