While housing starts in October rose 13.7% compared to September, they remain 2.9% below the level of 10/16, and are up just 5.8% YTD. Technically, it’s because multifamily activity is down roughly 10% YTD. That’s because multifamily activity has returned to its pre-recession level of roughly 400,000 units/year and is very volatile from month-to-month. The key, the continued painfully slow recovery in single-family activity, barely above historical recessionary lows.