{"id":16816,"date":"2016-05-25T14:50:47","date_gmt":"2016-05-25T18:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=16816"},"modified":"2016-05-25T14:50:47","modified_gmt":"2016-05-25T18:50:47","slug":"non-residential-multi-family-housing-starts-retreat-after-march-gains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/non-residential-multi-family-housing-starts-retreat-after-march-gains\/","title":{"rendered":"Non-residential, multi-family housing starts retreat after March gains"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New construction starts declined eight percent in April after experiencing gains in March.<\/span>
Photo \u00a9 Bigstock.com\/sopotniccy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a Dodge Data and Analytics report, the value of new construction starts declined eight percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $608.3 billion last month following major advances in March.<\/p>\n

Both the non-residential and multi-family housing industries experienced slower paces; however, non-building construction saw improvement with public works strengthening after a weaker March performance. April\u2019s data lowered the Dodge Momentum Index to 129 from 140 in the previous month.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe construction start statistics on a month-to-month basis are subject to frequent ups and downs, so April\u2019s decline after two months of improved activity was not a surprise,\u201d said Robert Murray, Dodge\u2019s chief economist. \u201cThe elevated volume for non-residential building in March was not expected to be sustained in the near term, yet the strength shown by its institutional segment does provide an indication of where growth is likely to come over the course of 2016.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe prospects for the commercial segment of non-residential building, while still positive, have grown more tenuous given signs that banks are beginning to take a more cautious approach towards commercial real estate loans,\u201d he continued. \u201cResidential building is still deriving some benefit from this year\u2019s low interest rate environment and increased funding under the new federal transportation act should provide support for the public works sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some April statistics from the report include:<\/p>\n