Privately owned housing starts in the United States slipped in October 2025, while building permits inched down and completions rose, according to a delayed new residential construction report released on January 9, 2026 by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Total housing starts fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1.246 million in October, down 4.6% from September’s revised 1.306 million and 7.8% below 1.352 million in October 2024. Single-family starts moved in the opposite direction, rising to 874,000 (SAAR), up 5.4% from September’s revised 829,000. Starts in buildings with five units or more were reported at 347,000.

Building permits, often watched as a forward-looking indicator of construction activity, were little changed. Total permits came in at a SAAR of 1.412 million, down 0.2% from September’s revised 1.415 million and 1.1% below 1.428 million a year earlier. Single-family authorizations slipped 0.5% to 876,000, while permits for buildings with five units or more were reported at 481,000.

Housing completions increased modestly on the month but remained well below year-ago levels. Completions rose to a SAAR of 1.386 million, up 1.1% from September’s revised 1.371 million, yet 15.3% lower than 1.636 million in October 2024. Single-family completions climbed 6.0% to 1.009 million, while completions in buildings with five units or more were 367,000.

The Census Bureau said the timing for the November report was listed as to be determined.