Estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development show housing starts and building permits both surged in September. Privately-owned housing starts jumped 15 percent above the revised August estimate of 758,000 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 872,000. The improvement puts new residential construction 34.8 percent above last year’s level. Additionally, single-family housing starts were up 11 percent for the month. Building permits, which are an indicator of future activity, also saw large gains in September. Permits were up 11.6 percent for the month and are now 45.1 percent above last September’s estimate. Single-family authorizations rose 6.7 percent. More here and here.
