US Housing Starts Top All Forecasts on Multifamily Construction

  • New residential construction increased nearly 16% in December
  • Despite strong month, 2024 starts were lowest in five years

Homes in San Gabriel, California.

Photographer: Jessica Pons/Bloomberg
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Housing starts in the US climbed in December to the fastest pace since early 2024, reflecting a surge in multifamily projects and a more modest advance in one-family homes.

New residential construction increased nearly 16% to an annualized rate of 1.50 million, rebounding after a three-month slump, according to government data released Friday. The figure exceeded all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists.