State permits point to rise in housing

Connecticut housing permits approved in May rose 55.7 percent from the numbers seen during the same month last year, according to figures released this week by the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

The 313 permits approved by Connecticut municipalities continued a trend that has seen authorized housing units in the state rise more than 50 percent so far this year.

But southeastern Connecticut, facing job losses over the past year while most of the state has added to its labor force, hasn't seen much of an increase. So far this year, towns and cities in the region have seen permits increase by only three, a lackluster 3 percent gain.

Stonington has seen the most permits approved so far this year, with 17, while East Lyme has reported 13 approvals, and Colchester, 11. Old Saybrook's permit numbers have fallen from last year's 21 to five as of May.

No other municipality in the region has reported permit approvals in the double figures so far this year. Old Lyme and Griswold are among the communities statewide not reporting permit figures.

Statewide, permits have been up or even with last year every month so far in 2012. Permit totals for the year are 1,312, compared with 859 that had been recorded through May of last year.

Last year was the lowest activity level for housing permits statewide since statistics were recorded going back to 2004. Despite this year's upswing, permits are about a third of the totals seen during the housing market's heights in 2004 and 2005.

l.howard@theday.com