In 2021, housing starts in the USA increased by 2.5% to 1.702m units - the highest level in 16 years. The last time a higher value was recorded was in 2005 at 1.994m units. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 1.172m detached houses were built in 2021, corresponding to an increase of 10.9%. Regarding multi-family houses, a decline of 56.0% to 524,000 units was recorded. For the twelve-month period up to and including December, seasonally adjusted growth of just 1.4% vis à vis the adjusted November figures was recorded. In November, the October figures had been exceeded by 8.1%.
Building approvals increased by 6.5% to 1.873m units in 2021. The last time a higher number of approvals was recorded was in 2005 at 2.120m. A decline in the construction of detached houses (-8.5 % to 1.128m units) was offset by a 40% increase in approvals for living units in two- to four-family houses (70,000 units) and in multi-family houses (675,000 units). In the twelve months up to and including December, approvals rose by 9.1% compared to November. This was the highest value recorded since February. Approval numbers had only been higher in the twelve-month period up to and including January (1.883m units).
