By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

December 2019 permit numbers show the Seattle metro area ended the year with a modest 3% decline in single-family permits and a 5% drop in multifamily permits compared to 2018. The overall decline for the metro area was driven by King County, which ended the year with 14% fewer single-family permits. However, Snohomish County saw an 11% uptick in single-family permits, and Pierce County was up 3%. For multifamily permits, the year-end decline for the metro area was driven by Pierce County, which saw permits drop 43%. Meanwhile, multifamily permits rose 13% in Snohomish County and remained flat in King County.

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

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By The Money Hour with Tina Mitchell

Leah Missik with Built Green has been the program manager for about two years. As the program manager, she has grown the certification, conducted a green home study that received national attention, and was nominated for a Northwest Emmy Award for a public-facing ad campaign on the advantages of living in a Built Green® home. Prior to Built Green, Leah worked as a Renewable Energy Analyst, supporting a small-scale renewables program where a utility bought back energy at a premium rate.  In The Money Hour segment today, Leah talks about the importance and benefits of green homes and Built Green.

Contact: data@mbaks.com

Puget Sound Region Sees Population Growth and Housing Demand

As of April 1, 2024, the Puget Sound region's population reached 4,483,900, reflecting an increase of 46,800 residents over the past year. This growth was primarily driven by King County, which added 30,300 people, followed by Snohomish County with 7,300, Pierce County with 6,300, and Kitsap County with 2,900 new residents.

This population surge underscores the urgent need for expanded housing options in the region. As more people move to Puget Sound, the demand for diverse and affordable housing solutions becomes increasingly critical.

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