** Housing construction falls sharply in March **

Housing construction falls sharply in March
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER 04.16.08, 8:36 AM ET
[link to www.forbes.com]

WASHINGTON - The construction of new homes plunged in March to the lowest level in 17 years, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday.

Housing construction dropped by 11.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 947,000 units, a much bigger decline than economists had been forecasting.

Building permits also fell in March, signaling even more problems ahead for the beleaguered housing industry.

OP Note: Got your shit in order? You'd be wise to.