The US Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced that privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,301,000. This is 4.6 percent (±1.4 percent) below the revised April rate of 1,364,000, but is 8.0 percent (±1.3 percent) above the May 2017 rate of 1,205,000.
Single-family authorizations in May were at a rate of 844,000; this is 2.2 percent (±1.0 percent) below the revised April figure of 863,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 421,000 in May.
Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,350,000. This is 5.0 percent (±10.2 percent) above the revised April estimate of 1,286,000 and is 20.3 percent (±14.4 percent) above the May 2017 rate of 1,122,000.
Single-family housing starts in May were at a rate of 936,000; this is 3.9 percent (±10.6 percent) above the revised April figure of 901,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 404,000.
Privately-owned housing completions in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,291,000. This is 1.9 percent (±13.7 percent) above the revised April estimate of 1,267,000 and is 10.4 percent (±12.1 percent) above the May 2017 rate of 1,169,000.
Single-family housing completions in May were at a rate of 890,000; this is 11.0 percent (±12.7 percent) above the revised April rate of 802,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 389,000.