Home construction in the Kansas City area recorded its strongest January in five years, according to a report Wednesday from the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City.

Continuing the steady improvement from 2012, 273 permits for single-family homes were issued in the first month of 2013.

That’s up 45 percent from 188 permits in January 2012, the report said.

“The improving economy and pent-up demand has reduced new-home inventory significantly,” said Sara Corless, executive vice president of the association.

The largest increases in construction permits occurred on the Kansas side of the state line in Johnson and Wyandotte counties.

Kansas City again issued the most permits last month, 62, primarily in Clay and Platte counties. Overland Park was second. Kansas City, Kan., and the rest of Wyandotte County was third.

Wyandotte County, including Kansas City, Kan., was not even among the top 10 permit issuers in January 2012, the report said.

As with 2012, no multifamily permits were issued in the metropolitan area last month.

This is the second report this week showing the continued improvement in the area’s housing market. On Tuesday, the Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors reported an 11 percent increase in new and existing home sales in January compared with a year earlier.

The Home Builders Association also noted that Summit Custom Homes issued the most permits for single-family homes last year, 180. It was followed by James Engle Custom Homes with 157 permits and Rodrock Homes with 110.