The total was down just 2 permits from July’s total of 865. The number was also higher than the five-year average for August of 851 permits, although permits were down 8 percent from the record 934 permits issued in August 2003. For the year-to-date, 7,426 single-family construction permits have been issued metrowide, a 1 percent increase from the last year’s record pace of 7,330 permits.

The steady rate of construction during July and August shows the local-home building market remains strong amid fluctuating mortgage rates and the uncertainty of election year politics, according to HBA Executive Vice President Tim Underwood.

“With low mortgage rates, an improving jobs market and an increase in new households, conditions locally remain very favorable for new-home construction,” Underwood said. “The steady rate of construction the last two months is a sign that both home builders and new-home buyers remain confident and optimistic.”

The local housing industry is currently in the midst of the Parade of Homes, an annual event spotlighting new housing choices throughout the metropolitan area. A total of 600 new homes are on display for this year’s parade, a record for the 57-year-old local tradition.

“This year’s parade may be the most diverse in the event’s history,” Underwood said. “Housing choices including lofts and condominiums in the urban core, traditional neighborhood design communities and new options for first-time buyers are bringing more and more families into the new-home market.

Kansas City, Mo., remained the top city in new-home construction activity through August with 1,141 single-family permits issued year to date. Olathe ranked second with 702 permits followed by Lee’s Summit with 636 and Overland Park with 599. Rounding out the top 10 were Shawnee, 343; Kansas City, Kan./Wyandotte County, 334; Independence, 315; Raymore, 299; Lenexa, 281; and Gardner, 238.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (HBA) is the voice of the housing industry and the source for housing information. Comprising more than 1,000 member companies, the HBA represents an industry that contributes more than $2.5 billion to the Kansas City economy and supports more than 36,000 jobs in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area.