The slowdown in single-family construction is relatively uniformacross the country, with eight of the 15 largest housing states -all with 20,000 or more permits so far this year - down 5% to 10%in comparison to last year.

But Texas, with 83,134 permits is one of only two states withmore year-to-date this year than last year while Florida has issued81,680 permits. Multifamily construction declines are occurring inTexas, down 3% or 22,283 permits. The same is true for Florida,which had 33,860 permits, down 22%, and North Carolina with 14,728is down 10%. The Houston CMSA is down 28% while Dallas has dipped55%.

With 921,494 permits pulled thus far this year, the year 2000'snational single-family housing market is running 4% behind lastyear's record pace. The slowdown is accelerating, as evidenced bythird quarter permits that are 7% less than for the same period in1999 and 5% less than 1998. But the US is still on pace to have thethird best year for single-family housing in the past 20 years.