Construction of new homes and apartments in urban areas fell 9.8% on the year to 7,303 units in the first six months, while housing construction in rural areas declined 9.7% to 8,763 units.
Of the total new homes and apartments built in the first half, 15,529 units were privately funded, while 537 units were financed from public funds.
In the second quarter of 2012 compared with the year-ago period, housing construction declined 9.6% to 9,204 units, the data showed.