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
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.