What is a housing start?
A housing start, also known as a new start, is an economic indicator used to determine the number of new residential construction projects that have begun over a certain period (such as a month, a quarter or a year).
The start of the construction is considered to be the date on which excavation begins for the footings or foundation of the building, or when work begins building on an existing foundation. All the housing units within a building are counted as having started when this excavation begins; for example, when work begins on semi-detached houses, or when work begins on the foundations of an apartment building.
The figures for new housing starts can provide an indicator for how the economy is performing over a given period of time. The types of new houses that are being started can also provide insights into the particular direction in which the economy is moving, e.g. a decline in new starts of suburban single-family houses and an increase in new starts of inner-city apartment buildings may indicate a move to more affordable housing options in closer proximity to urban centres.
Speculative builders and property developers use data on new housing starts to inform their procurement of land for development and their plans for their existing portfolio of land.
Politicians and economists use new starts data to assess the effectiveness of policies to tackle the housing crisis.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Listed despite problems with its design.
Zen and the art of cycling exploration.
Design Council Homes Taskforce launched
To support government 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.
The story of this knowledge quarter building.
In ecology, in hydrology, in biology and in architecture.
Creating environments that promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
UK cases of neutral current diversion
Research project looks for example contributions.
Overstocking and macro-economics cause a decline.
The 2024 update of the Common Assessment Standard
Demonstrating organisational capability’ to fulfil roles under the Building Safety Act.
56 recommendations for a better built environment
Published by the CIC ahead of the King’s Speech.
SkillELECTRIC Top 8 Competitors Named
in annual search for the UK’s best student electrician.
CIOB Diversity and Inclusion technical information sheet
Step-by-step guide on implementing D and I practices.
Conservation and the Indian City. Book review.
Reversibility in conservation ethics
Learning from painting conservation.
Where It's AT Podcast launched!
New CIAT Architectural Technology Podcast goes live.