Housing Starts Rose 4.6% YOY in April

Washington, DC, May 21, 2026-Privately-owned housing starts in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,465,000, 2.8% below the revised March estimate of 1,507,000 but 4.6% above the April 2025 rate of 1,400,000. Single-family housing starts in April were at a rate of 930,000; this is 9.0% below the revised March figure of 1,022,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 529,000.

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,442,000. This is 5.8% above the revised March rate of 1,363,000, but is 0.2% below the April 2025 rate of 1,445,000. Single-family authorizations in April were at a rate of 872,000; this is 2.6% below the revised March figure of 895,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 514,000 in April.

Privately-owned housing completions in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,449,000. This is 4.8% above the revised March estimate of 1,382,000, but is 2.0% below the April 2025 rate of 1,479,000. Single-family housing completions in April were at a rate of 903,000; this is 1.0% below the revised March rate of 912,000. The April rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 529,000.