California new-home production rises in January

Statistics compiled by the Construction Industry Research Board (CIRB) show homebuilders pulled permits for 2,979 total housing units in January, a 49 percent increase compared with January 2008 but an 18 percent decline compared with December 2009.

Permits for single-family homes totaled 1,908, a 50 percent increase compared with the same period a year ago but down 28 percent compared with the previous month. Multifamily permits totaled 1,071, up 45 percent compared with a year ago and 11 percent compared with December.

Ben Bartolotto, research director for CIRB, noted that the monthly decreases from December to January were typical as January is usually one of the weakest months for housing starts. He also noted any enthusiasm for the year-over-year increases seen in January should be tempered with the fact that the numbers for January 2009 posted the lowest annual rate on record.

CIRB is forecasting a modest recovery for 2010, with permits being pulled for 52,000 total units, up slightly from the record-low 36,289 permits pulled in 2009.