MULTIFAMILY HOUSING PERMITS

Permits for multifamily housing issued during the first four months of 1989 dropped dramatically compared to the same period one year ago. During the January-April period this year, 2,495 permits were issued, a 39% decline from 1988. The 1989 four-month total is, in fact, the worst recorded during the last four years--down 59% from 1987 and 47% from 1986.

Despite the year-to-date totals, multifamily permits have been trending upward on a month-to-month basis this year, with April’s 876 the highest monthly total. That is well below the 2,354 issued last April and the 2,298 of April 1987, but more than 1986’s 546.

Here’s a look at where the year-to-date changes have occurred in the county:

Jan.-April Jan.-April City 1988 1989 Difference Anaheim 1,007 154 -853 San Clemente 342 43 -299 Yorba Linda 296 0 -296 Costa Mesa 290 12 -278 Huntington Beach 270 73 -197 Santa Ana 133 0 -133 Newport Beach 117 24 -93 Los Alamitos 42 0 -42 La Habra 20 0 -20 Westminster 30 10 -20 Laguna Beach 15 0 -15 Irvine 106 92 -14 Garden Grove 115 108 -7 Stanton 7 0 -7 Buena Park 59 53 -6 La Palma 0 0 N/C Seal Beach 0 0 N/C Villa Park 0 0 N/C San Juan Capistrano 0 4 +4 Fountain Valley 0 5 +5 Brea 5 14 +9 Cypress 0 12 +12 Tustin 93 111 +18 Placentia 4 35 +31 Fullerton 38 91 +53 Orange 6 68 +62 Unincorporated area 1,070 1,456 +386 Mission Viejo N/A 130 -- COUNTY TOTAL 4,065 2,495 -1,570

N/C: No change N/A: Not available Source: Construction Industry Research Board