CLIPBOARD : Single-Family Home Futures

The second half of the year began with permits for new single-family homes taking a plunge. The number of permits issued in July, 253, was the lowest since the 198 issued in February and a 75% decline from June.

However, the seven-month figure total for 1991 is right on line with the comparable total for 1990. This year, 2,433 permits were issued in the first seven months, less than 1% more than last year’s January-July total.

The 1991 and 1990 figures, though, are well below those of 1989 and 1988. The current total, for example, is 53% lower than 1989 and 68% lower than 1988.

This year, nine cities have larger totals than they did for the comparable time in 1990, most notably Cypress. On the other hand, 18 cities and the unincorporated areas issued fewer permits than last year. Los Alamitos remains unchanged, having issued no permits during the first seven months of either year.

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

Jan.-July Jan.-July 1990-’91 City 1990 1991 Difference Cypress 15 233 +218 San Juan Capistrano 56 115 +59 Tustin 64 95 +31 Anaheim 104 134 +30 Placentia 18 45 +27 Buena Park 5 30 +25 Mission Viejo 45 59 +14 Seal Beach 8 14 +6 Westminster 0 1 +1 Los Alamitos 0 0 No change Fullerton 12 9 -3 Stanton 4 0 -4 Fountain Valley 6 1 -5 Villa Park 7 0 -7 Garden Grove 10 0 -10 Irvine 30 17 -13 Costa Mesa 68 53 -15 Huntington Beach 62 47 -15 La Habra 25 9 -16 Orange 50 33 -17 Laguna Beach 44 26 -18 La Palma 19 0 -19 Yorba Linda 148 122 -26 Santa Ana 52 21 -31 Brea 36 0 -36 Newport Beach 74 27 -47 San Clemente 88 26 -62 Dana Point 86 15 -71 Unincorporated areas 1,283 1,026 -257 Laguna Niguel * 0 275 -- COUNTY TOTAL 2,419 2,433 +14

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

Source: Construction Industry Research Board