Permits*

Permits for construction of new housing units were up 1 percent in the fourth quarter of 1999 at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,606,000 units but were down 6 percent from the fourth quarter of 1998. One-unit permits, at 1,200,000 units, were down a statistically insignificant 1 percent from the level of the previous quarter and down 4 percent from a year earlier. Multifamily permits (5 or more units in structure), at 340,000 units, were 8 percent above the third quarter of 1999 but 12 percent below the fourth quarter of 1998. In the year 1999, total permits were up 2 percent over 1998, while single-family permits were up 4 percent and multifamily permits were down 4 percent.

*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 fourth quarter of 1999 totaled 1,651,000 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, unchanged from the third quarter of 1999 but a statistically insignificant 3 percent below the fourth quarter of 1998. Single-family starts, at 1,347,000 units, were a statistically insignificant 3 percent higher than the previous quarter but unchanged from the year before. Multifamily starts totaled 278,000 units, a statistically insignificant 5 percent below the previous quarter and a statistically insignificant 12 percent below the same quarter in 1998. In the year 1999, total starts increased 3 percent over 1998, while single-family starts increased 5 percent, and multifamily starts decreased a statistically insignificant 1 percent.

*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 fourth quarter of 1999 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,023,000 units, unchanged from the previous quarter but a statistically insignificant 2 percent above the fourth quarter of 1998. Single-family units stood at 712,000, a statistically insignificant 2 percent above the previous quarter and a statistically insignificant 3 percent above the fourth quarter of 1998. Multifamily units were at 289,000, down a statistically insignificant 2 percent from the previous quarter but up 2 percent from the fourth 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 fourth quarter of 1999, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,642,000 units, were up a statistically insignificant 1 percent from the previous quarter and up 10 percent from the same quarter of 1998. Single-family completions, at 1,314,000 units, were up a statistically insignificant 2 percent from the previous quarter and up 10 percent from the rate of a year earlier. Multifamily completions, at 297,000 units, were a statistically insignificant 2 percent below the previous quarter but 12 percent above the same quarter of 1998. In the year 1999, total completions were 1,632,700 units, single-family completions were 1,303,300 units, and multifamily completions were 292,400 units.

*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 332,000 units in the third quarter of 1999, which is 8 percent below the previous quarter and 11 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