CLIPBOARD : Multiple-Family Home Futures

Construction of multiple-family housing appears to be the saving element of the housing industry this year. Although there were fewer permits for such housing issued in July (the most recent month for which information is available) than any month this year, 1990’s total is at least running ahead of 1989.

The 398 total for July was the lowest since last November, but sufficient to keep this year’s total almost 20% higher than 1989. It is, however, much lower than the comparable numbers for 1986-’88. Major increases in the unincorporated areas as well as the cities of Irvine, Orange and Tustin have kept the 1990 totals running ahead of last year. Here’s how this year’s first seven months compares to 1989 from city to city:

Jan.-July Jan.-July 1989-’90 City 1989 1990 Change Unincorporated areas 2,195 3,446 +1,251 Irvine 171 736 +565 Orange 68 380 +312 Tustin 111 379 +268 Garden Grove 108 268 +160 Cypress 12 78 +66 Costa Mesa 17 71 +54 Brea 14 55 +41 Westminster 14 53 +39 Los Alamitos 5 14 +9 Stanton 12 14 +2 Fountain Valley 0 0 No change Laguna Beach 0 0 No change La Palma 0 0 No change Villa Park 0 0 No change Seal Beach 0 0 No change Yorba Linda 0 0 No change San Juan Capistrano 4 0 -4 La Habra 20 2 -18 Placentia 35 0 -35 Buena Park 128 73 -55 Santa Ana 147 31 -116 Newport Beach 176 47 -129 San Clemente 151 12 -139 Huntington Beach 248 49 -199 Fullerton 379 82 -297 Mission Viejo 361 0 -361 Anaheim 783 247 -536 Dana Point N/A N/A -- Laguna Niguel N/A N/A -- COUNTY TOTAL 5,159 6,037 +878

N/A: Information included with “unincorporated area” totals.

SEVEN-MONTH TREND

1986: 9,594 1987: 11,477 1988: 7,892 1989: 5,159 1990: 6,037 Source: Construction Industry Research Board