US June Housing Starts Rise on Multifamily Growth

U.S. housing starts increased 19% in June, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.43 million units, according to data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Census Bureau. The boost came from a 76.2% jump in multifamily starts, which rose to an annualized 532,000 units, while single‑family starts slipped 0.2% to 895,000 units, a 3.2% decline from June 2025.

Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, said the decline in single‑family starts reflects "elevated mortgage rates and higher construction financing costs" that are weakening builder confidence and demand. He noted that the newly enacted housing bill includes provisions for streamlined regulations and local zoning incentives, but those measures will take time to affect supply. NAHB analysts also warned that higher long‑term Treasury yields, rising material and transportation costs, and insurance expenses are keeping construction expensive despite a persistent shortage of homes.