Bad Weather Causes U.S. Housing Starts to Fall 17 Percent in February

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According to newly released data from the U.S. Commerce Department, housing starts nationwide dropped 17 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 897,000 units in February 2015.

"This drop is not surprising based on our recent surveys, but our builders continue to show cautious optimism in the months ahead," said NAHB Chairman Tom Woods, a home builder from Blue Springs, Mo.

"February's numbers indicate that wavering consumer confidence continues to impact the housing recovery," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Buyers are waiting for a stronger, more reliable economy before making a home purchase, and builders are responding to their reluctance. Even with this month's drop in production, we expect the housing market to move forward this year in step with an improving economy."

Single-family housing production fell 14.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000 in February while multifamily starts dropped 20.8 percent to 304,000 units.

Combined single- and multifamily starts decreased in all regions of the country, with the Northeast, Midwest, South and West posting respective declines of 56.5 percent, 37 percent, 2.5 percent and 18.2 percent.

Overall permit issuance was up 3 percent in February to a rate of 1.092 million. Single-family permits decreased 6.2 percent to 620,000 units while multifamily permits rose 18.3 percent to a rate of 472,000 units.

Regionally, the Midwest, South and West registered permit gains of 6.1 percent, 7.3 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively, while the Northeast posted a 17.4 percent loss.