KC home building up 13 percent in May

The recovery of the metropolitan home-building industry continued in May with 381 single-family permits issued, up 13 percent compared to the same month a year ago.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City reported that while the number of permits issued in May was down 60 from April, so far this year there have been 1,685 permits issued, 4 percent ahead of the same period a year ago.

The strong apartment construction boom continued in May, with 445 multifamily permits issued. So far this year, there have been 1,604 multifamily permits issued, the most since 2001.

“Builder confidence seems to be up and summer sales and closings are filling the calendar while builders make plans for producing fall inventory,” Sara Corless, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association, said in a statement.

Kansas City, thanks to the strength of its Northland subdivisions, remained the leader in single-family permits issued so far this year with 303.

It was followed by Olathe, 228; Overland Park, 182; Lee’s Summit, 110; Blue Springs, 90; Lenexa, 83; Shawnee, 75; Wyandotte County, 68; Platte County, 46, and Basehor, 41.

Johnson County was responsible for 39 percent of the single-family permits issued year-to-date. It was followed by Jackson County, 18 percent, and Clay County, 17 percent.

This story was originally published June 24, 2014 at 11:14 AM with the headline "KC home building up 13 percent in May."