The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released their Monthly New Residential Construction Report for August 2026. Single-family housing starts totaled 918,000 in August, up 7.6% from the revised July figure of 853,000. Privately owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,275,000, down 2.6% from the revised July estimate.
“New home sales continue to highlight a growing divide between the new and existing home markets,” said Cotality Chief Economist Dr. Selma Hepp. “Homebuilders have become increasingly aggressive in using price cuts, mortgage rate buydowns, and other incentives to attract buyers, effectively shifting homes from ‘for sale’ to ‘on sale.’ As a result, new construction is offering a more affordable path to homeownership for many first-time buyers and helping sustain housing market activity despite a prolonged period of elevated mortgage rates.”
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,394,000, 2.7% below the revised July rate.
Privately-owned housing completions in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,128,000, 1.9% below the revised July estimate of 1,280,000 and 27.1% below the August 2025 rate of 1,548,000. Single-family housing completions in August were at a rate of 816,000; this is 10.4% below the revised July rate of 911,000.
