Economic reports published Thursday show the U.S. housing and job markets getting a little better.

The Labor Department says 5,000 fewer Americans signed up for unemployment compensation last week, putting the nationwide total at 388,000.

While that is the lowest level since last April, it is still above the level seen in a healthy economy.

The U.S. unemployment rate has fallen to 9 percent and some economists say it is likely to decline slowly.

A separate report from the Commerce Department shows builders started construction on slightly fewer homes in October, but the number of building permits issued for future construction surged, particularly for apartments.