August US Housing Starts, Permits, Completions All Decline

08:44 AM EDT, 09/17/2026 (MT Newswires) -- August housing starts fell by 2.6% from the previous month to a 1.275 million annual rate, below expectations compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET for a 1.32 million rate after a decrease to a 1.309 million pace in July. Building permits decreased by 2.7% to a 1.394 million rate in August, below the 1.408 million rate expected and following an increase to a 1.433 million rate in July. Homes permitted but not started increased, so the outlook is mixed for a gain in housing starts next month. Home completions declined by 11.9% to a 1.128 million rate after a 4.8% drop in the previous month. Completions were down 27.1% year-over-year.