The following is the unedited transcript of the news release from the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce.


BUILDING PERMITS

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 969,000. This is 1.3 percent (±1.2%) below the revised April rate of 982,000 and is 36.3 percent (±1.3%) below the revised May 2007 estimate of 1,522,000.

Single-family authorizations in May were at a rate of 623,000; this is 4.0 percent (±1.5%) below the April figure of 649,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 314,000 in May.

HOUSING STARTS

Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 975,000. This is 3.3 percent (±10.7%)* below the revised April estimate of 1,008,000 and is 32.1 percent (±5.1%) below the revised May 2007 rate of 1,436,000.

Single-family housing starts in May were at a rate of 674,000; this is 1.0 percent (±9.9%)* below the April figure of 681,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 280,000.

HOUSING COMPLETIONS

Privately-owned housing completions in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,132,000. This is 11.6 percent (±11.8%) above the revised April estimate of 1,014,000, but is 26.9 percent (±6.4%) below the revised May 2007 rate of 1,549,000.

Single-family housing completions in May were at a rate of 869,000; this is 8.9 percent (±12.2%)* above the April figure of 798,000. The May rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 248,000.


Available at:

http://www.census.gov/const/newresconst.pdf