Privately owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,512,000, according to estimates reported today by the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of the Census. This is 3 (+/-6) percent below the revised June rate of 1,563,000 and 11 (+/-7) percent below the July 1999 rate of 1,704,000.
Single-family housing starts in July 2000 were at a rate of 1,197,000; this is 2 (+/-6) percent below the June figure of 1,222,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 279,000. The July rate for units in buildings with two to four units was 36,000.
During the first 7 months of this year, 955,100 housing units were started compared with 979,200 units for the same period in 1999. This is a decrease of 2 (+/-2) percent.
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing units authorized by building permits in July was 1,497,000. This is 2 (+/-1) percent below the revised June rate of 1,528,000, but is 11 (+/-1) percent below the July 1999 estimate of 1,673,000.
Single-family authorizations in July 2000 were at a rate of 1,107,000; this is 2 (+/-1) percent below the June figure of 1,127,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 334,000 in July. The July rate of permit-authorized units in buildings with two to four units was 56,000.
During the first 7 months of this year, 934,000 housing units were authorized compared with 990,300 units for the same period in 1999. This is a decrease of 6 (+/-1) percent.
The next press release is scheduled to be issued on Tuesday, September 19,
2000, at 8:30 A.M. EDT.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Last revised: August 16, 2000
