Housing Starts Gain in April With Total of 204

Housing starts in Ventura County totaled 204 in April, up from 162 in March and 122 a year earlier, a trade group reports.

Construction of single-family homes registered gains, but permits declined for new multifamily units, including apartments and condominiums, according to the Construction Industry Research Board.

The board said 182 single-family homes were started in the county in April, compared to 112 in March and 104 in April, 1994.

New apartment and condo units totaled 22 in April, down from 50 in March and 30 a year earlier.

New construction of all kinds in the county was valued at $50.8 million in April, an improvement over $44.4 million the previous month and $32.3 million in April, 1994, the Burbank-based board reported.

In the county’s long-dormant industrial construction market, no permits were issued during April. Industrial projects were valued at $539,000 the previous month and $7.1 million a year earlier.

New commercial building projects totaled $3.3 million in April, compared to $4.3 million in March. No permits for commercial projects were issued in April, 1994.