Permits for Single-Family Homes in Texas Once Again Outnumber Multifamily Permits

The longstanding trend in Texas of permitting more single-family homes than multi-family developments looks to be accelerating.

1 minute read

July 20, 2017, 6:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Texas Suburb

SoleilC / Shutterstock

For a brief moment in 2014, it looked as though permits for multi-family units in Texas might surpass single-family homes. That moment has passed. In the intervening years, permits in the two categories have trended in opposite directions. "The number of new multifamily buildings starting construction has fallen over the past couple of years, as single-family units continued marching upward," Lydia DePillis reports in the Houston Chronicle.

This trend will have consequences for Texas' future as these homes are yet to be built. "The factors that would push the pace of multifamily construction rate faster than single-family construction are varied and complex, ranging from the availability of financing to decisions made by local planners to the demographics and preferences of people moving to a certain place," DePillis writes.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017 in Houston Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Multistory apartment building under construction with yellow crane.

Good Cause Eviction Policies Don’t Hamper Construction, New Research Shows. Legislators Are Still Concerned.

Multiple states have ongoing pushes for good cause eviction protections. A frequent obstacle: a now disproven claim by developers.

15 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

"Stage 4" soundstage wall seen through ornate metal gate at Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, California.

Demise of Entertainment Industry Mirrors Demise of Housing in LA

Making movies has a lot in common with developing real estate: producers = developers; screenwriters = architects; directors = general contractors. The similarities are more than trivial. Both industries are now hurting in L.A.

June 12 - California Planning & Development Report

Two young women roller skating in a park on a sunny day.

How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls

Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.

June 12 - Next City