Housing Starts Up 6.5 Percent

Mar 16, 2017

Single-family housing starts in February were at a rate of 872,000, which is 6.5 percent above the revised January figure of 819,000, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Privately-owned housing starts last month were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,288,000, which is three percent above the revised January estimate of 1,251,000 and is 6.2 percent above the February 2016 rate of 1,213,000.

Single-family authorizations in February were at a rate of 832,000, 3.1 percent higher than the revised January figure of 807,000. However, privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,213,000, which is 6.2 percent below the revised January rate of 1,293,000—although it is also 4.4 percent above the February 2016 rate of 1,162,000.

Single-family housing completions in February were at a rate of 754,000, which is 6.5 percent below the revised January rate of 806,000. But privately-owned housing completions in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,114,000, which is 5.4 percent above the revised January estimate of 1,057,000 and is 8.7 percent above the February 2016 rate of 1,025,000.

About the author

Phil Hall

Link copied

Published

Mar 16, 2017

Military Lending

MISMO, VA Push To Digitize Veteran Loan Eligibility Process

New data standards aim to streamline Certificate of Eligibility requests, reduce manual processing and speed VA loan originations

MISMO has released new standardized data mappings designed to help lenders process VA loan eligibility requests more efficiently as part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' ongoing digital transformation of its Loan Guaranty program.Developed in collaboration with th...

Non-QM

Untapped Home Equity Creates Opportunity For Alternative-Doc HELOCs

New Home Equity Gap Index estimates U.S. homeowners hold $11 trillion in available equity as some Non-QM lenders expand options for self-employed borrowers

A new Home Equity Gap Index suggests that billions of dollars in home equity remain largely untapped, creating an opportunity for Non-QM lenders offering alternative-documentation HELOCs to borrowers who may not qualify under traditional underwriting.According to The Mortgag...

Oct

Denver, CO

More from

Industry News

President Trump Cancels 21st Century ROAD To Housing Act

Trump cancels signing the bipartisan housing bill, leaving affordability package in limbo

Industry News

Jun 24, 2026

Commercial, Multifamily Mortgage Debt Tops $5 Trillion In Q1

MBA says outstanding debt grew by $26.3 billion in the first quarter, led by multifamily lending and increased holdings from banks, agencies, and life insurers

Industry News

Jun 18, 2026

Fed Holds Rates Steady, But Outlook Dims For Mortgage Rate Relief

The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged but updated projections show more policymakers expecting additional hikes

Industry News

Jun 18, 2026

Congress Nears Final Vote On 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

Senate voted 87-8 to advance House-amended package, with final votes expected in coming days

Industry News

Jun 17, 2026

Florida Pending Sales Signal Strong Summer Housing Market

Closed sales rise for a ninth straight month as inventory gives buyers more negotiating power