Homebuilding Sees 11 Percent Increase

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Alicia Naleid, Director of Communications
(608) 242-5151 ext. 13

Homebuilding Sees 11 Percent Increase

Number of new home starts up in quarter one

May 11, 2022 – The latest new home construction numbers across the state have increased in quarter one of 2022 compared to quarter one of 2021.

The data, submitted by all municipalities across the state, shows 2,917 permits were pulled between January 1 and March 31 of this year, 11 percent more than the 2,626 permits pulled during the same period in 2021. This comes after 2021 year-end numbers were down 5 percent compared to 2020.

“We are seeing a significant geographical shift in quarter one,” said Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Executive Director Brad Boycks. “Rural areas such as Buffalo, Dunn, Forest, Jackson, Langlade, Price and Rusk counties have all seen incredible growth in the first quarter, while more populous counties such as Brown, Dane, Rock, and Waukesha counties are all down.”

Two possible explanations for the shift: remote work options coupled with a lack of lot availability. Without requirements to be in the office on a daily basis, people now have an opportunity to build their home where they may have otherwise vacationed. Similarly, the ability to work-from-home and lack of available lots may be forcing homeowners to build outside of metropolis counties.

“Time will be the best indicator on whether this was a one-quarter fluke, or a trend that we’re going to see long-term,” says WBA President Cory Sillars.

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Building Permit Data

About the Wisconsin Builders Association

The Wisconsin Builders Association is a professional trade association comprised of 21 local associations dedicated to helping members build communities around the state. We advocate the interests of 4,000 home building industry members to keep housing affordable and accessible for Wisconsin families, Protecting the American Dream for over 70 years.