Privately-owned housing starts in February were at a seasonally adjusted rate of 47,000 for the Northeast, down 56.5 percent from January, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. Nationally, housing starts were at an annual rate of 897,000, a 17-percent decrease from the January total of 1,081,000.

Building permits for the Northeast also fell in February, decreasing 17.4 percent, while nationally, building permits rose 3 percent to 1,092,000. To read the entire U.S. Commerce Department press release, click here.