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 July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 937,000. This is 17.7 percent (±1.3%) below the revised June rate of 1,138,000 and is 32.4 percent (±1.5%) below the revised July 2007 estimate of 1,386,000.

Single-family authorizations in July were at a rate of 584,000; this is 5.2 percent (±1.4%) below the June figure of 616,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 318,000 in July.

HOUSING STARTS

Privately-owned housing starts in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 965,000. This is 11.0 percent (±9.0%) below the revised June estimate of 1,084,000 and is 29.6 percent (±5.1%) below the revised July 2007 rate of 1,371,000.

Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 641,000; this is 2.9 percent (±10.9%)* below the June figure of 660,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 309,000.

HOUSING COMPLETIONS

Privately-owned housing completions in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,035,000. This is 8.7 percent (±10.0%)below the revised June estimate of 1,134,000 and is 31.7 percent (±6.6%) below the revised July 2007 rate of 1,515,000.

Single-family housing completions in July were at a rate of 791,000; this is 7.2 percent (±9.3%)* below the June figure of 852,000. The July rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 229,000.


Available at:

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