The U.S. government is reporting that privately‐owned housing starts in December, 2024 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,499,000, which is 15.8% higher than November’s revised number and is 4.4% lower than one year ago.  December’s rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 418k.  Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in December were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,493,000, which is 0.7% lower than November’s revised number and is 3.1% lower than one year ago.  Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 437k in December.