NYC Residential Housing Permits

Residential Housing Permits started out strong in the first three months of 2013, keeping pace with the total permits issued in the first three months of 2012. The first three months of 2013 recorded a total of 2,556 permits compared to 2,233 permits in the first three months of last year. In 2013, Brooklyn has been the major source of residential activity, while in 2012 Manhattan recorded the most permits.

Based on the first quarter, it appears that permits and new housing development are leveling off in 2013. Since 2004, permits have climbed steadily, reaching a high point of 33,170 in 2008, the peak of economic activity.

The financial crisis of 2009 caused a significant drop in permit activity to 5,953 in that year. Since then, permits have slowly picked up as the economy progresses and returns back to normal. Nevertheless the level of new housing permits last year are well below what our city needs to meet the housing demand of our steadily rising population which is expected to reach 9 million by 2030.

2013 Residential Housing Permits
Month	Bronx	Brooklyn	Manhattan	Queens	Staten Island
January	151	530	514	148	25
February	20	507	16	163	11
March	43	147	38	117	126
Total to Date	214	1,184	568	428	162

Residential Housing Permits by Borough and Year
Year	Bronx	Brooklyn	Manhattan	Queens	Staten Island	Total
2004	5,047	6,998	4,604	6,757	2,147	25,553
2005	4,937	9,028	8,525	7,369	1,872	31,731
2006	4,658	9,191	8,790	7,252	1,036	30,927
2007	3,104	10,930	9,520	7,625	739	31,918
2008	2,128	12,357	9,700	7,730	1,255	33,170
2009	1,543	1,003	1,363	1,474	570	5,953
2010	1,064	2,093	872	2,358	508	6,895
2011	1,116	1,522	2,535	3,182	581	8,936
2012	2,552	3,353	2,492	1,529	673	10,599
2013*	214	1,184	568	428	162	2,556