Multifamily For-Rent Starts Experience Record Quarter

Construction Statistics
Published
Multifamily For-Rent Starts Graph

According to NAHB analysis of quarterly Census data, multifamily for-rent housing starts surged during the second quarter of 2022 to 142,000 units, the largest quarter for rental multifamily construction since the second quarter of 1986.

The market share of rental units of multifamily construction starts bounced back to 96%. In contrast, the historical low share of 47% was set during the third quarter of 2005, during the condo building boom. An average share of 80% was registered during the 1980-2002 period.

Chief Economist Robert Dietz provides more in this Eye on Housing post.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Membership

Mar 18, 2026

Statement of NAHB 2027 Third Vice Chairman Candidate Don Dabbert

The NAHB Nominations Committee has certified one candidate for 2027 Third Vice Chairman: Don Dabbert, from Fargo, N.D., who is a member of the Building Industry Association of the Red River Valley.

Membership

Mar 17, 2026

Register for NAHB's 2026 Spring Membership Drive

This year's drive emphasizes the power of member-to-member connections by encouraging members to do business with fellow members.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Mar 17, 2026

Lumber Imports and Employment Fall

U.S. sawmill production was unchanged in the third quarter according to the Federal Reserve G.17 Industrial Production report. Utilization rates for sawmills and wood preservation industries remained near 70% despite a weakened demand environment from lower levels of residential construction in the third quarter of 2025.

Economics

Mar 17, 2026

Best Year for Missing Middle Construction Since 2007

While not a huge jump, 2025 featured the highest construction volume for multifamily missing middle housing starts.

Economics

Mar 16, 2026

Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Affordability Concerns Persist

Builder sentiment inched up in March even as builders continue to express affordability concerns stemming from elevated construction costs and shortages of buildable lots and labor.