NAHB October US Housing Index Declines More Than Expected

10:00 AM EDT, 10/19/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The National Association of Home Builders' monthly housing market index fell to a reading of 29 in October from 32 in September, compared with expectations for a smaller decrease to a 31 print in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. The index was well below a reading of 37 a year earlier and is at the lowest level since June 2012, not including the start of the pandemic. The readings for single-family sales, the six-month outlook, and buyer traffic all decreased in the month. "Housing remains squeezed by supply-side constraints and significant affordability challenges," NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said. "Demand persists, but higher mortgage rates, elevated construction costs and weaker consumer confidence are keeping more buyers on the sidelines. As a result, buyer traffic has fallen to its lowest level since April 2012, excluding the pandemic's onset in April 2020."