The U.S Census Dept. reported that privately-owned housing starts in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 610,000, 0.3 percent above the revised August estimate of 608,000 and 4.1 percent above the September 2009 rate of 586,000. Single-family housing starts in September were at a rate of 452,000, 4.4 percent above the revised August figure of 433,000.
Building permits in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 539,000, 5.6 percent below the revised August rate of 571,000 and 10.9 percent below the September 2009 estimate of 605,000. Single-family authorizations in September were at a rate of 405,000, 0.5 percent above the revised August figure of 403,000.