Housing Starts Fall in May

Single-family housing starts in May were at a rate of 468,000; this is 17.2 percent (plus or minus 7.9 percent) below the revised April figure of 565,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 112,000. Courtesy of Apprentice Search

Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000. This is 10 percent (plus or minus 10.3 percent)* below the revised April estimate of 659,000.

From May 2009 to May 2010 housing starts rose 7.8 percent, with increases of 15.3 percent for single units and decrease of 17 percent for 5 units or more. The Midwest was the region that fared the best with a total increase of 35.4 percent and an increase of 15.5 percent for single units. The West was the worst region with an overall decrease of 9.6 percent and increase of 11.1 percent for single units.

- Courtesy of Economics & Statistics Administration