Single-family housing starts run at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 930,000 in April, down 9.0% from 1,022,000 in March and down 2.4% from April 2025. Single-family building permits run at 872,000, down 2.6% from 895,000 in March, while single-family completions run at 903,000, down 1.0% from 912,000. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported these figures.
The National Association of Home Builders said builders face economic uncertainty and affordability challenges, including higher construction costs, labor shortages, and elevated financing expenses, and said the starts and permits data suggest the construction pipeline remains uneven across regions and property types.
Across all unit types, privately owned housing starts run at 1,465,000 in April, down 2.8% from 1,507,000 in March and up 4.6% from 1,400,000 in April 2025. Total building permits run at 1,442,000, up 5.8% from 1,363,000 in March, while total completions run at 1,449,000, up 4.8% from 1,382,000. For buildings with five units or more, permits run at 514,000, and both starts and completions run at 529,000.
