Privately-owned housing starts in April rose an impressive 85.9 percent for the Northeast to 184,000, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department. March’s total was 99,000. Nationally, housing starts were at an annual rate of 1,135,000, a 20.2-percent increase from February’s 944,000 total.

Building permits for the Northeast also increased significantly, rising 38.8 percent to 179,000, while nationally, building permits rose 10.1 percent to 1,143,000. Learn more here.