Privately-owned housing starts in December were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 126,000 for the Northeast, up 12.5 percent from November, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. Nationally, housing starts were at an annual rate of 1,089,000, a 4.4-percent increase from the November total of 1,043,000.

Building permits for the Northeast fell in December, decreasing 16.8 percent to 99,000, while nationally, building permits fell 1.9 percent to 1,032,000. To read the entire U.S. Commerce Department press release, click here.