Residential starts rose 1.4 percent to a 1.70 annualized rate. Applications to build jumped 9.1 percent to an annualized 1.87 million units in December.
The former president said in a statement that he plans to apply to build the homes as well as retail and commercial space at Trump National Doral Miami.
In letter sent Thursday, Senator Elizabeth Warren asked housing firms Progress Residential, Invitation Homes and American Homes 4 Rent about recent rent hikes and evictions.