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U.S. housing market recovery rolls on as groundbreaking rises

[October 17, 2014] WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. housing starts and permits rose in September, a signal the market's modest recovery is supporting what appears to be growing strength in the broader economy.

Groundbreaking rose 6.3 percent to an annual 1.02 million-unit pace, the Commerce Department said on Friday.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast a slightly smaller gain.

Housing is clawing back after it imploded during the 2007-2009 financial crisis and recession. It suffered a setback last year when interest rates spiked, but rates have been falling lately. The average 30-year mortgage rate dropped last week to its lowest level since June 2013.

New housing starts for single-family homes, the largest part of the market, rose 1.1 percent in September, while the more volatile multi-family homes segment jumped 16.7 percent.

Last month, permits advanced 1.5 percent to a 1.02 million-unit pace.

(Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Paul Simao)

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