by Building permits and housing completions decline during the same period, but rise from a month earlier
WASHINGTON — Housing starts rose in April from a year ago, while housing completions and building permits declined during the same period, according to recently released figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Month-over-month figures showed that building permits and housing completions rose from March while housing starts were slightly lower.
Housing starts totaled 1,465,000, up 4.6% from 1,400,000 in April 2025. They declined 2.8% from a revised March estimate of 1,507,00. Single-family homes represented 930,000 or 63.5% of the total, down 9% from 1,022,000 in March.
Building permits totaled 1,442,000, .2% below 1,445,000 in April 2025 and 5.8% above 1,363,000 in March. Single-family home building permits represented 872,000, or 60.5% of the total, which was 2.6% below the revised March figure of 895,000.
Housing completions totaled 1,449,000, or 2% below 1,479,000 in April 2025 and 4.8% above 1,382,000 in March. Single-family homes represented 903,000 or 63.2% of the total, which was down 1% from 912,000 in March.
By region the activity was follows:
In the Northeast, building permits totaled 141,000, up 8.5% from April 2025 and up 28.2% from March. In the Midwest they totaled 238,000, up 17.2% from April 2025 and up 11.7% from March. In the South, they totaled 756,000, down 2.1% from April 2025 and up 5.4% from March. In the West, they totaled 307,000, down 9.7% from April and down 5% from March.
In the Northeast, housing starts totaled 180,000, down 3.2% from April 2025 and up 16.1% from March. In the Midwest they totaled 206,000, down 9.6% from April 2025 and up 2.5% from March. In the South, they totaled 723,000, down 3.2% from April 2025 and down 11% from March. In the West they totaled 356,000, up 49% from April 2025 and up 5% from March.
In the Northeast, housing completions totaled 176,000, up 19.7% from April 2025 and down 25.1% from March. In the Midwest, they totaled 149,000, down 15.8% from April 2025 and down 13.4% from March. In the South they totaled 846,000, up 5.1% from April 2025 and up 23% from March. In the West, they totaled 278,000, down 20.6% from April 2025 and down 3.1% from March.
Thus, the report offers a glimpse on which regions were the strongest and weakest in terms of new home construction activity. While the numbers provide a broad overview, retailers also can benefit by paying close attention to what’s happening in their respective regions and communities.
Consumers obviously will benefit by them being prepared with the best possible selection of merchandise as they get ready to shop or move into these properties.
