In 2008 just 106,894 new homes were started, half the volume of 2007, according to the latest NHBC statistics.
NHBC said 72,114 applications were received to build homes in the private sector – a 56% drop on 2007 when 163,535 applications were made.
Housing association applications reduced by 6% to 34,780.
NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi said the figures were the lowest since computerised records began and are 18% lower than the previous lowest year.
“We anticipate the volume of new home starts to remain relatively low throughout 2009 and are mindful of the industry’s need to retain skilled workers to be able to respond to the demand for new homes when recovery comes,” he said.
New home completions fell 20% in 2008 to 149,238, while additional year-end figures show the average number of new homes sold each day during the year was 433, down from 572 in 2007.
