Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 574,000. This is 5.9 percent below the revised April rate of 610,000, but is 4.4 percent above the May 2009 estimate of 550,000.
Single-family authorizations in May were at a rate of 438,000; this is 9.9 percent below the revised April figure of 486,000.
Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000. This is 10.0 percent below the revised April estimate of 659,000, but is 7.8 percent above the May 2009 rate of 550,000.
Single-family housing starts in May were at a rate of 468,000; this is 17.2 percent below the revised April figure of 565,000.
Privately-owned housing completions in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 687,000. This is 7.4 percent below the revised April estimate of 742,000 and is 15.4 percent below the May 2009 rate of 812,000. Single-family housing completions in May were at a rate of 507,000; this is 7.8 percent below the revised April rate of 550,000.