Single-family housing starts decreased 2.1% from March to April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 927,000 units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Single-family starts were down 12% compared with April 2024.
Economic uncertainty from tariffs, elevated mortgage rates and rising building material costs pushed single-family housing starts down in April, the National Association of Home Builders said.
Overall housing starts increased 1.6% from March to April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.36 million units.
âThe decline in single-family housing starts in April mirrors builder sentiment, as elevated interest rates, uncertainty on the tariff front and rising construction costs are exacerbating housing affordability challenges,â NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes said in a statement. âIn turn, this is making it more difficult for builders to deliver entry-level housing at a price point that is accessible to home buyers.â
Read the full statement here.
