The latest new residential construction statistics, published by the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing, shows that private housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 946,000 units in March – up 2.8% on the previous month but a slower rate than in 2013.
However, seasonally adjusted annual building permit authorisations for new private homes were up 11.2% on a year ago to 990,000 but slightly down on the rate experienced in February.
Private house completions were at an adjusted rate of 872,000, up 7.7% on a year ago.
Severe weather conditions hindered the housebuilding industry at the beginning of 2014.