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 | Awards

Apr 16, 2026

HBAs Celebrated for Member Growth and Retention with Grand Awards

The latest Grand Awards winners include 22 local associations and 10 state associations.

Membership

Apr 15, 2026

NAHB Mourns the Passing of Former Wichita Area BA President and CEO Wess Galyon

Wesley “Wess” Galyon, who served as president and CEO of the Wichita Area Builders Association for forty years, passed away.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Apr 16, 2026

Young Adults Report More Interest in the Construction Trades: 2026 Survey

NAHB estimates the U.S. has a structural housing deficit of 1.2 million units. Among the myriad of headwinds home builders face trying to close that gap is the industry’s chronic shortage of workers in the construction trades.

Economics

Apr 15, 2026

Builder Sentiment Posts Notable Decline on Economic Uncertainty

Economic uncertainty coupled with rising building material costs and interest rates resulted in a sharp decline in builder sentiment in April as the housing market enters into the heart of the spring buying season.

Economics

Apr 14, 2026

Higher Energy Prices Increase Residential Construction Costs

Energy input prices increased in March at their fastest pace since June of 2020 as the conflict in Iran shocked critical global supply chains. Building material prices, excluding energy, rose for the eleventh straight month. Price growth for trade services slowed while transportation and warehousing price growth accelerated.