U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Starts down 0.8% from February and down 17% from a year earlier.

Decrease was due to a decline in both purchase and refinancing activity, driven by the rise of interest rates.

Supply of houses for sale fell for the fourth straight month.

Department to rescind 2020 rule that court injunction halted.

Second-straight monthly increase brings annual sales rate to level not seen since March 2022

White House announces reduction; will take effect on March 20.