Building permit data provides a barometer of the development market, which is a reflection of development processes and planning regimes. The arc of the country's housing construction trends bends toward Texas.
The U.S. Census Bureau took to Twitter yesterday to share data on residential building permits in 2016, calling attention to the state of Texas' position as the leader in private home development. Specifically, Texas permitted 165,583 residential units—106,511 of which were single units.
#Texas led the way in residential building permits in 2016 w/ 165,853 new privately owned housing units authorized: https://t.co/EaBiRiRxx3 pic.twitter.com/FJEBezUyCK
— U.S. Census Bureau (@uscensusbureau) June 6, 2017
The data released also contains a few helpful nuggets to put the construction in Texas in perspective: the entire country permitted 1,206,642 unites in 2016. Behind Texas were Florida, with 116,240 total units, and California, with 102,350 total units. New York permitted a surprisingly low figure of 33,711 total units.
The U.S. Census Bureau followed the permits data tweet with more data that offer other perspective's on the residential development market.
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of new private residential #construction for Feb 2017 was estimated to be $497b https://t.co/wvWS4lxYtm pic.twitter.com/eGZdBzvYyi
— U.S. Census Bureau (@uscensusbureau) June 6, 2017
FULL STORY: New Privately Owned Housing Units Authorized Unadjusted Units for Regions, Divisions, and States
Denver Planning Department Hiring to Keep Up With Permit Backlog
As Denver's development industry achieves post-recession levels of activity, the city's Department of Community Planning and Development needs staff for pre-recession levels of capacity.
New York City Residential Construction Sluggish in Recovery
For a city famous for high cost of living, incredible demand for housing, famous examples of gentrification, and political pressure to build, New York City is lagging behind the volumes of residential construction approved in comparable cities.
New California Law Supports Adaptive Reuse
AB 2243 paves the way for easier conversion of industrially and commercially zones properties for residential development.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions