Housing starts sink to pandemic levels as builders worry about inflation

Housing starts have plummeted to their lowest levels since the pandemic's disruption in construction, signaling a significant downturn in the building sector. Builder confidence is waning due to escalating material and financing costs, raising concerns about the housing shortage and the recent progress made in many states to meet housing demands. This decline could have broader implications, potentially slowing economic recovery and increasing the cost of living for those seeking new homes.