Single-family home construction spending is down 4% from last May, according to new Census Bureau data, as elevated mortgage rates and affordability pressures drag down demand.

Single-family home construction spending is down 4% from last May, according to new Census Bureau data, as elevated mortgage rates and affordability pressures drag down demand.

In May, US construction spending edged up by a mere 0.1%, influenced by increased mortgage rates partly due to tensions in the Middle East. While there was a slight boost in…