Readers Respond: Housing starts

A poll of Hardware + Building Supply Dealer readers shows no clear consensus on the direction of housing starts.

Following the April residential construction report that showed a seven-year high for housing starts, readers were asked: “Where do we go from here?” As of Friday morning, just under 200 people responded:

36%: “Up. April’s numbers prove the housing recovery has legs.”

32%: “Down. This year’s slow start reflects enduring problems. April’s report is probably a fluke.

32%: “Who knows?

Housing starts for May will be released June 16. Early estimates hover in the 1.1 million range.