U.S. home construction hits a new record low - lowest since 1959

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WASHINGTON - A government report says construction of new homes plunged 4.5 percent last month to the lowest level on government records, as U.S. builders slashed production while Wall Street nose-dived.

The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that construction of new homes and apartments dropped more than expected to an annual rate of 791,000 units from an upwardly revised September rate of 828,000 units. Previously, the slowest pace had been in January 1991, when the country was in recession and going through a similar housing correction. The government’s records date back to 1959.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27801694/