Texas Metros Lead Residential Building Permit Activity in 2020; Atlanta, Phoenix Also in the Top 5

A new report quantifies the number of housing units in the development pipelines in metropolitan areas around the United States.

1 minute read

June 6, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Town Homes

RodClementPhotography / Shutterstock

"Metro Atlanta ranked fourth in the U.S. for the number of homebuilding permits issued in 2020 for single-family housing, according to property research company NeighborWho," reports Josh Green.

More specifically: "From Alpharetta to West End and far beyond, the metro racked up 28,632 home permits last year—a surge of 9 percent over 2019, according to NeighborWho’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data in a report titled, '2020 U.S. Home Building Permits Hit 13-Year High.'"

Green presents that information as evidence that new supply could be coming soon to the metro Atlanta area to relieve the pressure from incredibly high demand, and a corresponding lack of supply, for housing since the outset of the pandemic.

Despite the sudden spurt, residential permitting activity in metro Atlanta still lags compared to the two metro areas at the top of the list, Houston (49,915 permits) and Dallas (44,005 permits), according to the report.

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 in Urbanize Atlanta

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

7 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Streetcar and bus stopped at station on Market Street in San Francisco with Ferry Building visible in background.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street

If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

4 hours ago - San Francisco Examiner

Parklet with wooden benches and flower boxes on street in Ireland.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces

Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog San Francisco

Bronze statue of homeless man (Jesus) with head down and arm outstretched in front of St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.

6 hours ago - The New York Times