Housing construction slumps 7% in July to 1.53 million units

Housing construction slumps 7% in July to 1.53 million units

Home construction fell a sharp 7% in July as home builders struggled to cope with a variety of headwinds

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer

August 18, 2021, 12:39 PM

• 1 min read

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WASHINGTON -- Home construction fell a sharp 7% in July as home builders struggled to cope with a variety of headwinds.

The decline in July put home construction at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.53 million units, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

Applications for building permits, which can forecast future activity, rose 2.6% in July from the June level to an annual rate of 1.64 million units.

A survey of home builder confidence saw expectations fall sharply in August to the lowest level in a year as builders struggled with high construction costs, supply shortages and rising home prices.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo said its survey dropped five points to a reading of 75 this month.

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