CLIPBOARD : Multifamily Home Futures

The first four months of 1991 reflect a lean immediate future for those who build multiple-family housing. During April, the most recent month for which information is available, 212 permits were issued for such housing, which includes apartments, condominiums, townhouses and the like.

That April figure, 40% less than the March total, was the third lowest monthly number during the last five years. The only two lower monthly totals occurred this January (57 permits) and February (115). The four-month 1991 number, 737, is 78% less than last year.

Compared to 1990, just six cities have higher totals this year. And even at that, the largest increase, in Tustin, is a mere 45 permits. On the other hand, huge declines from last year’s first four months have taken place in the county’s unincorporated areas as well as the cities of Irvine, Orange and Garden Grove. There has been no change from last year to this in nine other cities, eight of which will, so far, see no such new building.

Here’s how the cities stack up, listed from the largest decrease to the largest increase in permits issued:

Jan.-April Jan.-April 1990-’91 City 1990 1991 Difference Unincorporated areas 1,587 207 -1,380 Irvine 538 12 -526 Orange 378 0 -378 Garden Grove 248 26 -222 Cypress 71 4 -67 Buena Park 59 14 -45 Dana Point 42 6 -36 Westminster 37 3 -34 Costa Mesa 20 4 -16 Fullerton 21 7 -14 Stanton 14 0 -14 Santa Ana 16 6 -10 Newport Beach 22 14 -8 Huntington Beach 44 42 -2 Brea 2 2 No change Fountain Valley 0 0 No change La Palma 0 0 No change Mission Viejo 0 0 No change Placentia 0 0 No change San Juan Capistrano 0 0 No change Seal Beach 0 0 No change Villa Park 0 0 No change Yorba Linda 0 0 No change La Habra 0 2 +2 Laguna Beach 0 2 +2 San Clemente 12 19 +7 Los Alamitos 9 18 +9 Anaheim 192 205 +13 Tustin 37 82 +45 Laguna Niguel * N/A 62 -- COUNTY TOTAL 3,349 737 -2,612

*New city for 1990 tabulations; 1990 data before July is included in “unincorporated areas” total.

N/A: Information not available

Source: Construction Industry Research Board