The U.S. Census Bureau said privately-owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 746,000, 1.1% below the revised June estimate of 754,000, but 21.5% above the July 2011 rate of 614,000. Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 502,000, 6.5% below the revised June figure of 537,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 229,000.
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 812,000, 6.8% above the revised June rate of 760,000 and 29.5% above the July 2011 estimate of 627,000. Single-family authorizations in July were at a rate of 513,000, 4.5% above the revised June figure of 491,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 274,000 in July.