The national trend in housing starts decreased in May as a result of continuing decline in the trend for single starts as well as a decline in the trend of multi-unit starts that follows gains in this segment in recent months, in urban areas. The decrease in the trend of multi-unit starts reflects a decline in the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) level of multi-unit activity in May from the unusually elevated level registered in April, which leaves multi-unit SAAR starts closer to its 10-year average. The trend in housing starts was 201,983 units in May 2019, compared to 205,717 units in April 2019. This trend ... (full story)