a monthly gauge of new homeconstruction climbed to its highest level since 2006 in february—but that doesn’t mean the coast is clear for home builders housing starts—the census bureau and department of housing and urban development’s measure of the beginning of new home construction—climbed to a seasonallyadjusted annual rate of about 177 million in february consensus estimates gathered by factset had anticipated a rate of about 17 million the reading was 68 higher than january’s revised rate and 223 higher than the same month last year february’s pickup in home construction comes despite a decrease in builder sentiment the national association of home builders’ index gauging home builder confidence decreased in march falling to its lowest level since last september factors like increased costs supply chain issues and expectations of higher interest rates dented sentiment the trade group said “while low existing inventory and favorable demographics are supporting demand the impact of elevated inflation and expected higher interest rates suggests caution for the second half of 2022” robert dietz the national association of home builders’ chief economist said in a release wednesday permits another government measure that reflects the authorization of new housing units dipped about 2 month over month to a seasonallyadjusted annual rate of about 186 in february the rate was 77 higher than the same month a year ago the count of homes authorized but not yet started at the end of the month also increased slightly rising to a seasonallyadjusted 273000 from 272000 in january the count was 258 higher than the same month last year investors can expect more news about the housing market this week lennar  which reported earnings after the bell wednesday will host a call with investors on thursday at 11 am the home building company wednesday it anticipated delivering 68000 homes in 2022 up from guidance calling for 67000 deliveries the national association of realtors’ february measure of existing home sales is expected friday morning consensus expects homes to have been sold at a seasonallyadjusted annual rate of 61 million in february down from 65 million in january according to factset