Permits*

Permits for construction of new housing units were down a statistically insignificant 1 percent in the third quarter of 1999 at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,587,000 units, and were down a statistically insignificant 2 percent from the third quarter of 1998. One-unit permits, at 1,205,000 units, were down 2 percent from the level of the previous quarter but up 1 percent from a year earlier. Multifamily permits (5 or more units in structure), at 318,000 units, were 4 percent above the second quarter of 1999 but 12 percent below the third quarter of 1998.

*Components may not add to totals because of rounding. Units in thousands. **This change is not statistically significant. Source: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce

Starts*

Construction starts of new housing units in the third quarter of 1999 totaled 1,657,000 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, a statistically insignificant 2 percent above the second quarter of 1999 and a statistically insignificant 1 percent above the third quarter of 1998. Single-family starts, at 1,300,000 units, were a statistically insignificant 1 percent lower than the previous quarter but a statistically insignificant 2 percent above the year before. Multifamily starts totaled 322,000 units, a statistically insignificant 19 percent above the previous quarter but unchanged from the same quarter in 1998.

*Components may not add to totals because of rounding. Units in thousands. **This change is not statistically significant. Source: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce

Under Construction*

Housing units under construction at the end of the third quarter of 1999 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,024,000 units, a statistically insignificant 1 percent above the previous quarter and 8 percent above the third quarter of 1998. Single-family units stood at 703,000, unchanged from the previous quarter but 8 percent above the third quarter of 1998. Multifamily units were at 299,000 units, up a statistically insignificant 2 percent from the previous quarter and up 12 percent from the third quarter of 1998.

*Components may not add to totals because of rounding. Units in thousands. **This change is not statistically significant. Sources: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce; and Office of Policy Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development

Completions*

Housing units completed in the third quarter of 1999, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,620,000 units, were down a statistically insignificant 2 percent from the previous quarter but up 7 percent from the same quarter of 1998. Single-family completions, at 1,283,000 units, were down a statistically insignificant 4 percent from the previous quarter but up 7 percent from the rate of a year earlier. Multifamily completions, at 299,000 units, were a statistically insignificant 5 percent above the previous quarter and 9 percent above the same quarter of 1998.

*Components may not add to totals because of rounding. Units in thousands. **This change is not statistically significant. Sources: Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce; and Office of Policy Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development

Manufactured (Mobile) Home Shipments*

Shipments of new manufactured (mobile) homes were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 363,000 units in the second quarter of 1999, which is 6 percent below the previous quarter and 2 percent below the rate of a year earlier.

*Units in thousands. These are HUD-code homes only and do not include manufactured housing units built to meet local building codes, which are included in housing starts figures. Source: National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards