The US Census Bureau reported Wednesday that privately-owned housing starts in April were at an annual rate of 717,000, representing a 2.6 percent increase over the revised March estimate and 29.9 percent higher than the April 2011 rate of 552,000. Single-family housing starts in April were at a rate of 492,000; this is 2.3 percent above the revised March figure of 481,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 217,000.
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 715,000. This is 7 percent below the revised March rate of 769,000, but is 23.7 percent above the revised April 2011 estimate of 578,000. Single-family authorizations in April were at a rate of 475,000; this is 1.9 percent above the revised March figure of 466,000.
Privately-owned housing completions in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 651,000. This is 10 percent above the revised March estimate of 592,000 and is 20.1 percent above the revised April 2011 rate of 542,000.