Commerce department reports

Washington, D.C.

Privately owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,512,000, according to estimates reported recently by the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of the Census. This is 3 (+/-6) percent below the revised June rate of 1,563,000 and 11 (+/-7) percent below the July 1999 rate of 1,704,000.

Single-family housing starts in July 2000 were at a rate of 1,197,000; this is 2 (+/-6) percent below the June figure of 1,222,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 279,000. The July rate for units in buildings with two to four units was 36,000.

During the first 7 months of this year, 955,100 housing units were started compared with 979,200 units for the same period in 1999. This is a decrease of 2 (+/-2) percent.