US housing starts rose 10.8% in March to a 1.5 million annualized pace, the
highest in over a year, with single-family starts up 9.7% to 1.03 million,
Census Bureau data showed. The gain suggests stabilization as builders offer
incentives despite affordability concerns. However, the Iran war is raising
materials costs and mortgage rates. Building permits fell to 1.37 million, the
lowest since August, with single-family permits down 3.8%. Starts increased
across all regions, led by the Northeast.
