Home construction permits fall nationwide

Permits for new housing units fell 11.5 percent last month nationwide, but housing starts rose 5.8 percent, according to data from the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau released today. Permits grew 15.9 percent year-over-year, awhile starts rose 40.9 percent. “Monthly housing data is quite volatile, but housing permits and starts have risen substantially over the past year,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “Employment has begun to increase, and further economic growth should help sustain home-building activity in the coming months.” TRD