Solid gains in single-family and multifamily housing production resulted in nationwide housing starts rising 12.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 954,000 units in December, according to newly released data from the U.S. Commerce Department.

Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 5.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted rate of 313,000 units in Sept., according to the U.S. Commerce Dept.

Nationwide housing starts rose 15 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 658,000 units in September, marking the strongest pace of residential construction since April of 2010, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Dept. today.