Washington ? Housing construction plunged in October as builders slashed activity to the lowest level in more than six years.

Further declines were expected as the five-year housing boom turns into what is being described as a “housing recession.”

Construction of new single-family homes and apartments dropped 14.6 percent to an annual rate of 1.486 million units, the slowest pace since July 2000.

The news was even more stark for building permits, which fell for a record ninth consecutive month, dropping 6.3 percent to an annual rate of 1.535 million units, the slowest pace in nine years.

Housing, which had been one of the economy’s standout performers during a five-year boom, shaved about a percentage point off growth in the July-September quarter. That pushed overall economic activity as measured by the gross domestic product down to just 1.6 percent, the slowest growth in more than three years.

Workers stay busy Nov. 11 at a Toll Brothers housing development in Newtown, Pa. Housing construction plunged to the lowest level in more than six years in October as the nation's once-booming housing market slowed further.

Many economists predicted that GDP growth would be trimmed by a similar amount in the current quarter as housing continues to act as a drag, through lower sales and reduced building activity. Construction in October stood 27.4 percent below the level of activity a year ago, the biggest year-over-year decline in more than 15 years.

But some economists noted some faint hints of a turnaround. A monthly survey of builder sentiment conducted by the National Association of Home Builders was up in November for the second straight month, the first back-to-back gains since mid-2005.