Housing starts in England continue their recovery

The housing market is showing significant signs of recovery, according to the latest figures from the UK Statistics Authority. Housing starts were up in the third quarter of 2009 compared to both the previous quarter and the same quarter in 2008. This is the third successive quarterly rise in seasonally adjusted housing starts.

There were an estimated 25 820 seasonally adjusted housing starts in England in the third quarter of 2009 — 18% higher than the previous quarter and 16% higher than the same quarter in 2008. Private-enterprise housing starts (also seasonally adjusted) were 21% higher than the previous quarter and 20% higher than the same quarter in 2008.

The recent improvement in housing starts has yet to make an impact on the long-term picture. Annual housing starts in England totalled 83 080 in the 12 months to September 2009, down 35% compared to the 12 months to September 2008.

Housing completions in England were down by 4% to an estimated 29 050 (seasonally adjusted) in the September 2009 quarter compared to the previous quarter. Completions were down by 12% compared with the September 2008 quarter.

Annual housing completions in England totalled 122 800 in the 12 months to September 2009, down by 21% compared with the 12 months to September 2008.