The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced that housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 604,000 which is 1.5 percent below the revised June estimate of 613,000, but is 9.8 percent above the July 2010 rate of 550,000.

BUILDING PERMITS

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 597,000. This is 3.2 percent below the revised June rate of 617,000, but is 3.8 percent above the July 2010 estimate of 575,000.

Single-family authorizations in July were at a rate of 404,000; this is 0.5 percent above the revised June figure of 402,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 171,000 in July.

HOUSING STARTS

Privately-owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 604,000. This is 1.5 percent below the revised June estimate of 613,000, but is 9.8 percent above the July 2010 rate of 550,000.

Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 425,000; this is 4.9 percent below the revised June figure of 447,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 170,000.

HOUSING COMPLETIONS

Privately-owned housing completions in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 636,000. This is 11.8 percent above the revised June estimate of 569,000 and is 9.5 percent above the July 2010 rate of 581,000.

Single-family housing completions in July were at a rate of 470,000; this is 6.1 percent above the revised June rate of 443,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 158,000.

For more information, view New Residential Construction in July 2011