St. Cloud Sun

The total number of multi-family homes authorized but not started in July in the Midwest was 5,600, according to figures released jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Unadjusted statistics are gathered from the Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey and the Survey of Construction.

The surveys provide current national and regional data on the construction of new privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits.

The results provide insight into the nation's current economic activity, and are used by business and industry stakeholders to help gauge supply and demand.