Double-Digit Gains for Single-Family and Multifamily Production in November
Single-family and multifamily housing production accelerated in November, due to strong demand for new construction. Overall housing starts increased 11.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.68 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
The November reading of 1.68 million starts is the number of housing units builders would begin if development kept this pace for the next 12 months. Within this overall number, single-family starts increased 11.3% to a 1.17 million seasonally adjusted annual rate. The multifamily sector, which includes apartment buildings and condos, increased 12.9% to an annualized 506,000 pace.
“Mirroring gains in the HMI reading of builder sentiment, single-family housing starts accelerated near the end of 2021 and are up 15.2% year-to-date as demand for new construction remains strong due to a lean inventory of resale housing,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke. “Policymakers need to help alleviate ongoing building material supply chain bottlenecks that are preventing builders from keeping up with buyer demand.”
“Breaking an eight-year trend, in recent months there have been more single-family homes under construction than multifamily units,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Moreover, despite some cooling earlier this year, the continued strength of single-family construction in 2021 means there are now 28% more single-family homes under construction than a year ago. These gains mean single-family completions will increase in 2022, bringing more inventory to market despite a 19% year-over-year rise in construction material costs and longer construction times.”
On a regional and year-to-date basis (January through November of 2021 compared to that same time frame a year ago), combined single-family and multifamily starts are 24.4% higher in the Northeast, 9.6% higher in the Midwest, 15.4% higher in the South and 19.4% higher in the West.
Overall permits increased 3.6% to a 1.71 million unit annualized rate in November. Single-family permits increased 2.7% to a 1.10 million unit rate. Multifamily permits increased 5.2% to an annualized 609,000 pace.
Looking at regional permit data on a year-to-date basis, permits are 13.6% higher in the Northeast, 16.3% higher in the Midwest, 19.3% higher in the South and 22.4% higher in the West.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jul 10, 2025
What to Know About Expiring Energy Tax CreditsPresident Trump recently signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law, which significantly accelerates the termination date for federal energy tax incentives. Builders and remodelers using the credits should be aware of the new expiration dates and where necessary, consult with their tax professional for additional guidance.
Jul 10, 2025
NAHB Presents Oral Arguments Challenging HUD’s 2021 IECC MandateOn July 9, the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Texas heard oral arguments in NAHB’s challenge to the government’s final determination requiring that homes built under certain housing programs comply with the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and 2019 ASHRAE-90.1.
Latest Economic News
Jul 10, 2025
Remodeling Market Sentiment Dips in Second QuarterIn the second quarter of 2025, the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 59, down four points compared to the previous quarter.
Jul 09, 2025
Mortgage Applications Picked Up in June as Rates EasedMortgage application activity picked up in June, supported by a slight decline in interest rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, which tracks mortgage application volume, rose 5.4% from May on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to June 2024, total applications were up 21.1%.
Jul 09, 2025
Who’s Still Working from Home in 2025? A Look at America’s Telework TrendsRemote work may no longer dominate the U.S. labor force as it did during the height of the pandemic in 2020, but it still represents a substantial share of employment today.