Housing Construction Up 18% During 1995

Despite a generally soft real estate market, construction of single-family homes in Ventura County soared more than 18% in 1995, reaching its highest level since the boom days of 1989.

A total of 1,948 new houses were started in the county last year, according to the Construction Industry Research Board, a trade group.

Tract activity was strong last year in Simi Valley, Ventura, Oxnard and other parts of the county.

Last year’s total compares with 1,649 in 1994 and is the highest since 1989, when builders started 3,347 houses.

The residential construction picture wasn’t all rosy, however. The number of apartment and condominium projects fell sharply, with only 205 multifamily units started in the county last year. That was 74% less than the previous year’s 815.

The steep drop in apartment construction produced a net decline in the total number of new housing units. In all, 2,153 units were begun last year, 12% less than in 1994.

On the whole, however, the county’s builders had a good year. Projects of all kinds totaled $635.8 million in value--a more than 12% increase over 1994.

The overall figure was the best since 1989, when it came to $908 million.

Commercial projects, including office buildings, stores and hotels, had a banner year in 1995. The sector rose more than 146%, to $73.6 million.

Even though demand for industrial space was strong, the building of new factories was flat, rising just 0.3%, to $32 million.