US single-family housing starts rose 9.7% in March to about 1.03 million units, the highest since February 2025, while overall residential starts increased 10.8% to 1.5 million units. However, single-family permits fell 3.8% and overall permits dropped 10.8%, signaling caution ahead. Rising costs from tariffs, conflict-related fuel price increases, and higher mortgage rates have pressured builder confidence, which remains low.


