Housing Permits in Michigan Decline 3.7% in the
Month of September

Lansing, MI– Housing permits for single family home construction decreased 3.69 percent in Michigan during the month of September.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 1,329 permits issued in September 2018, compared to 1,379 for the same period a year ago.  Year-to-date, there have been 12,756 permits issued in Michigan, compared to 12,663 in 2017, which represents a modest 0.7 percent increase.

“The latest housing permit numbers continue a troubling trend for our industry and the state of Michigan,” said HBAM CEO Bob Filka (Shown Left). “The fact is new home construction is well below what we need to be meet long-term housing needs in Michigan.  Local community leaders need to start looking at how to attract housing investment to their regions or they may get passed by when it comes to future economic growth. It’s hard to attract jobs when there are few if any housing options for workers.”

Among the challenges hampering the homebuilding industry in Michigan in recent years are the lack of skilled workers to support construction projects, a shortage of buildable lots, rising building material costs and inconsistent and burdensome government regulations, all of which are serving to drive up costs and push many potential home buyers to the sidelines.

HBAM warned of a looming housing shortage in Michigan last summer when it issued a proposed 13-point action plan to aggressively attack challenges faced by the industry.  Copies of the HBAM report, “Housing Challenges Threaten Our Economic Growth—Where Will Ten Million Michiganders Live?” can be downloaded at HBAofMichigan.com.

The Home Builders Association of Michigan is a professional trade association comprised of 24 local homebuilder associations around the state and their builder, subcontractor and supplier members. HBA of Michigan works to positively promote the building industry and impact legislative, regulatory and legal issues affecting housing affordability.

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