Housing starts in February decreased 22.5% above the revised January figure of 618,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Building Permits

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 517,000. This is 8.2% below the revised January rate of 563,000 and is 20.5% below the February 2010 estimate of 650,000.

Single-family authorizations in February were at a rate of 382,000; this is 9.3% below the revised January figure of
421,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 121,000 in February.

Housing Starts

Privately-owned housing starts in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 479,000. This is 22.5% below the revised January estimate of 618,000 and is 20.8% below the February 2010 rate of 605,000.

Single-family housing starts in February were at a rate of 375,000; this is 11.8% below the revised January figure of 425,000. The February rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 96,000.

Housing Completions

Privately-owned housing completions in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 581,000. This is 13.9% above the revised January estimate of 510,000, but is 13.0% below the February 2010 rate of 668,000.

Single-family housing completions in February were at a rate of 468,000; this is 11.2% above the revised January rate of 421,000. The February rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 107,000.