Single-family housing starts that jumped by 10% from February to March retreated once more in April, new government figures indicate, as outlooks for a boost in new-home supply in 2026 rapidly deteriorate.
Home builders broke ground on new single-family homes at a pace that was 9% slower than March and 2.4% slower than a year ago, putting the annualized rate at about 930,000 units in April, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total privately owned housing starts declined by 2.8% but were 4.6% higher than year-ago levels, fueled by multifamily activity that popped 14.3% from the previous month and 23.3% over the year.
A surge in multifamily starts and completions — which were more than 16% higher than March and 6.4% higher than a year ago —...