WASHINGTON — U.S. home construction rose a solid 1.9% in September after having fallen in August as home building remains one of the bright spots for the economy.

The Commerce Department reported today that the September increased pushed home construction to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.42 million homes and apartments after a 6.7% drop in August.

Applications for building permits, a good sign of future activity, rose an even stronger 5.2% to 1.55 million units.

After a plunge in the spring due to pandemic-related lockdowns, housing has staged a solid rebound as demand for homes with more space has grown and mortgage-rates have stayed at ultra-low levels.