Building permits for homes were issued at an annual rate of 569,000 in August, a 1.8 percent increase from the previous month but 6.7 percent below the prior year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Still, construction began on more homes in August than in July or August 2009. Housing starts hit an annual rate of 598,000, 10.5 percent above July and 2.2 percent above last year.
August housing completions were 5.6 above July, but 23.7 percent below the same month a year ago.
