Housing starts is an economic indicator that reflects the number of privately owned new houses (technically housing units) on which construction has been started in a given period. These data are divided into three types: single-family houses, townhouses or small condos, and apartment buildings with five or more units. Housing starts is an economic indicator that reflects the number of privately owned new houses (technically housing units) on which construction has been started in a given period. These data are divided into three types: single-family houses, townhouses or small condos, and apartment buildings with five or more units. Each apartment unit is considered a single start. The construction of a 30-unit apartment building is counted as 30 housing starts.