Single-family build-to-rent (SFB2R) housing has been a popular option for soon-to-be-homebuyers over the last several years as housing prices grew and households sought out more long term rental options. Because of this trend, B2R construction activity has grown to encompass a larger share of the market, but in Q-2 2026 single-family B2R construction activity trended downward.

According to a report from the National Association of Home Builders, there were 15,000 SFB2R construction starts during Q-2 2026, down from 18,000 one year ago.

B2R construction declined in 2026, but so did construction activity across other segments

Over the last four quarters, 63,000 B2R homes began construction, which is a 16% decrease compared with the 75,000 estimated B2R starts for the prior four-quarter period.

However, they’re not the only ones seeing declines. The single-family segment also recorded a 9.9% decrease year-over-year in July, and townhome starts also fell 12% year-over-year, according to NAHB data.

The broader picture shows the B2R segment is still growing

Despite the quarterly decline, single-family B2R construction starts as a whole are still expanding over the years. The current four-quarter moving average of SFB2R homes in market share is just under 7%, which remains much higher than the historical average of 2.7% seen during the period of 1992 to 2012.