Apartment construction drives US homebuilding surge in June

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. builders broke ground on apartment complexes in June at the fastest pace in nearly 28 years, as developers anticipate that recent jobs gains will launch a wave of renters.

The Commerce Department says housing starts last month climbed 9.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.17 million homes. All of that growth came from a 28.6 percent surge in multi-family housing that put apartment construction at its highest rate since November 2007.

Total housing starts have risen 10.9 percent year-to-date. Affordable but rising mortgage rates and solid job growth have increased the number of would-be buyers and renters seeking homes during a period when supplies are tight.

Approved building permits rose increased 7.4 percent to an annual rate of 1.34 million, the highest level since July 2007.

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