Housing starts rose in the state, B of A said.

The 291,700 starts during March was a 0.8% gain from February and 4.6% higher than in March, 1986, according to Bank of America’s monthly housing report. The gain was in contrast with a 4.8% decline in U.S. housing reported Tuesday by the U.S. Commerce Department. The bank said short-term interest rate trends will determine whether this growth rate can be sustained.