The US Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,263,000. This is 0.6 percent (±2.4 percent) below the revised September rate of 1,270,000 and is 6.0 percent (±1.6 percent) below the October 2017 rate of 1,343,000.
Single‐family authorizations in October were at a rate of 849,000; this is 0.6 percent (±2.2 percent) below the revised September figure of 854,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 376,000 in October.
Privately‐owned housing starts in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,228,000. This is 1.5 percent (±12.9 percent) above the revised September estimate of 1,210,000, but is 2.9 percent (±10.4 percent) below the October 2017 rate of 1,265,000.
Single‐family housing starts in October were at a rate of 865,000; this is 1.8 percent (±10.8 percent) below the revised September figure of 881,000. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 343,000.
Privately‐owned housing completions in October were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,111,000. This is 3.3 percent (±10.5 percent) below the revised September estimate of 1,149,000 and is 6.5 percent (±9.2 percent) below the October 2017 rate of 1,188,000.
Single‐family housing completions in October were at a rate of 832,000; this is 1.2 percent (±10.6 percent) below the revised September rate of 842,000. The October rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 269,000.