With 690 single-family residential permits issued during October, the total for 2021 stands at 5,368, which is two units more than were issued during the entirety of 2020, according to the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City’s (KCHBA) monthly Residential Building Permit Statistics report.  Comparing the first 10 months of each year, 2021 has registered a 19 percent increase over 2020.

Nationally, single-family housing starts decreased 4 percent nationwide during October (but up 17 percent year-to-date), according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

“The Kansas City homebuilding market is unique in many ways so the fact that we aren’t following the national trend in October isn’t necessarily surprising,” said KCHBA Executive Vice President Will Ruder. “Our permit numbers are higher than last years and we believe the industry will end 2021 in a strong way.”

Most of the eight counties in the metro are reporting an increase in permits issued during 2021 with an overall increase of 35 percent in the Missouri counties and 12 percent on the Kansas side.  Overall, Kansas City remains the highest permitting locality, with most of its 796 single-family permits issued in Clay County.  The busiest five cities so far this year are rounded out by Lee’s Summit, Olathe, Overland Park and Lenexa. 

Click here to view the October 2021 Residential Statistics Report.